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THE STORY 


OF “THE 


SEER OF PATMOS. 











BY 
STEPHEN WN: .HASKELE. 
— 


QZ 
ZINN 


“Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this 
prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time 
is at hand.” Rev. 1:3. 








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REVIEW AND HERALD PUBLISHING ASSOCIATION 
WasuineTon, D. C. 


1907 









ve " . J 3 
4 
Entered according to Act of Congress in the year 1 
f STEPHEN N. HASKELL, ; 
it In the office of the Librarian of Congress, Washington, 


ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. 





AUTHORS PREPACE. 





PropHeEcy is often considered dark and mysterious. The Lord 
describes how prophecy given in vision, will be looked upon by many 
people. “And the vision of all is become unto you as the words of a 
book that is sealed, which men deliver to one that is learned, saying, 
Read this, I pray thee; and he saith, I cannot; for it is sealed: and the 
book is delivered to him that is not learned, saying, Read this, I pray 
thee; and he saith, I am not learned.” The book of Revelation was 
never sealed ; for the angel said to John, “Seal not the sayings of the 
prophecy of this book, for the time is at hand.” 

God has given the book of Revelation a title different from any 
other book in the Bible, signifying that it is open to all. It is the 
“vevelation of Jesus Christ.” He has pronounced a blessing upon every 
one who reads it, or even hears it read. ‘Blessed is he that readeth, 
and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things 
which are written therein: for the time is at hand.” It is adapted to 
every mind, and is full of choice illustrations and symbols, which will not 
only interest, but instruct the reader. It is a complete book in itself ; 
for John was told “ What thou seest, write in a book.” He then said 
that he bear record of the Word of God, and “of all things that he saw.” 

_The prophecies of Revelation cover the period of the time from the 
first advent of Christ to the earth made new. The history of the Chris- 
tian church is repeated four times in different figures, illustrating almost 
every phase of experience the church will pass through. Portions of the 
history are repeated several times. The book of Revelation opens the 
portals of the city of God, and presents to the readers, Eden restored, 
with its tree of life bearing twelve manner of fruit. 

The study of prophecy, by many, is considered uninteresting, and 
much that is written upon this subject is given in an argumentative style, 
which is unattractive to many minds. The “Story of the Seer of Patmos” 
is a treatise on the book of Revelation, given in a narrative oS inter- 
esting alike to old and young. 

3 


4 AUTHOR’S PREFACE. 


The “ Story of the Seer of Patmos” is sent forth on its mission of love 
with earnest prayer to God that it may point all who read to the Lamb 
of God that taketh away the sin of the world. May the Bible student 
find treasure, the skeptics find ground for faith, and the thoughtless 
become acquainted with the thoughts of God by reading this book. 

May the Lord bless it in its mission ; and in love of the great Master, 
may it prove a blessing to thousands of souls who are struggling with the 
conflicts and ills of this life, and guide them to the pearly portals of the 
New Jerusalem, 


CONTENTS: 


INTRODUCTION, 
I.—TueE SEER OF Opies: 
JOHN THE BELOVED, (POEM) 
Il —TuHeE AvuTHOR OF THE REVELATION, 
IlI.— Tue MessaGE To THE CHURCHES, 
IV.— Tue MEssAaGE TO THE CHURCHES, Ce 
V.—A GtimpsE or HEAVEN, 
VI.— Who Is Wortuy To OPEN THE Bone? 
VII.— History IN THE SEALs, 
VIII.— Tue SrEartinec Work, 
IX.—TuHeE TruMpeETs, : 
X.— THE BEGINNING oF WOES, 
XI.—TuHeE Voice oF A Micuty ANGEL, 
XII.— Tue Tuirp Woe, ‘ 
XIII.— THE Great ConrTROVERSY, 
XIV.— Tue BEAsT FROM THE SEA AND 


TueE BEAST FROM THE EARTH, 


XV.— THE THREE ANGELS’ MESSAGES, 

XVI.— PREPARATION FOR THE PLAGUES, 
XVII.— Tue SEvEN Last PLAGUEs, 
XVIII. — Basyton, THE GREAT MysTERY, 

XIX — Be Ye SEPARATE, 

XX.—TuHE Two Suppers, 

XXI.— THE JUDGMENT OF THE Wickes: 
XXII.— Tue Gtories oF THE NEW JERUSALEM, 
XXIII.—Tue New Earru, 

XXIV.— THE SANcTUARY AND Its — ICE, 

QUESTIONS FOR STUDY, : é 

INDEX oF MarGInaL REFERENCES, A ‘ E - 
5 


FULL-PAGE ILLUSTRATIONS 


“J, Joun, Saw THE Hory City,” . , : ; Frontispiece. 
: PAGE. 
DIAGRAM OF THE SEVEN CHURCHES, . ‘ R ‘ : 72 
THE DARKENING OF THE SUN AND Moon, 5 : ; 122 
“THE GREAT Day oF His WratH Is COME: AND 
Wuo SHALL BE ABLE TO STAND,” 126. 
“ He Hap in ois Hanpd A LitTLE Book OPEN,” 5 c 184 
THe Law oF Gop, . : ; . ; , : : 207 
A Woman CLOTHED WITH THE SUN, AND 
THE MOON UNDER HER FEET, 212 
“T Stoop UPON THE SAND OF THE SEA, AND 
Saw A Beast Rise Up out OF THE SEA,” 227 
THE Law oF Gop AS CHANGED BY THE PAPAcy, : ; 231 
THE THREE MESSAGES, . s ; : ; 260 
‘“T Saw A WomAN SIT UPON A wee ARLET 'Couauen BEAsT,”’ 291 
SATAN UPON THE DESOLATE EARTH, : ‘ : 328 


6 


INTRODUCTION. 





OnE of the distinguishing features of the age of the world in 
which we live is the prevalence of light and knowledge. It is but a 
fulfillment of the divine words: ‘But thou, O Daniel, shut up the 
words, and seal the book, even to the time of the end: many shall run 
to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased.’ Dan. 12:4. 

During the preceding century, more than in all the centuries 
of the past, a flood of light has been shed upon the prophetic page. 
The seal which metaphorically hid the true meaning of the book of 
Daniel has been removed by the fulfillment of nearly all its predictions, 
so that the records of history demonstrate its true meaning. Prophecy 
is history in advance. History is prophecy fulfilled. When both agree 
we have the genuine meaning. Therefore we know we are in the 
“time of the end,” and very near its close. 

The book of Revelation is introduced by the following words: 
“The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto Him, to show 
unto His servants things which must shortly come to pass; and He 
sent and signified it by His angel unto His servant John.” Rev. 1:1. 

As the book of Daniel reaches to the “tzme of the end,” and the 
book of Revelation contains “things which must shortly come to pass,” 
before the end, the two books must be “companion volumes,’ closely 
related to each other. The book of Daniel, in point of time, precedes 
the book of Revelation upwards of six centuries. In short, the latter 
is largely an inspired commentary on the former, and as such, becomes 
a valuable aid to its correct understanding. Every earnest, intelligent 
student of prophecy will study these two books together. Each is 
mutually helpful to the understanding of the other. 

There is an opinion extant, quite prevalent among those skeptically 
inclined, and a class of professed Christians who ignore the whole sub- 
ject of prophecy, that the book of Revelation is mystical, foggy and 
cannot be understood. If so, the Spirit of God has misnamed it. God 
says it is a “ Revelation of Jesus Christ.” A revelation is not some- 


7 


g INTRODUCTION. 


thing concealed. It is something made known. In other words, this 
blessed book makes known to us the things God wishes us to know. 
He reveals to us the nature of the events to occur all through the 
Christian dispensation, and especially those connected with Christ’s 
return to this earth at His second coming. 

The “ Revelation” is a book of symbols. The representation of 
mighty kingdoms by the symbols of beasts, as given in Daniel and 
Revelation, is common among the nations of the earth. We speak of 
the British lion, the Russian bear, the American eagle; and every 
intelligent person understands what is meant, because nations them- 
selves have chosen these creatures to represent them on their flags 
and standards. Inspiration chooses symbols to represent various na- 
tions, and the Scriptures themselves plainly define their meaning. 

There are no books in the Bible of greater interest to the earnest 
student than the visions of Daniel and John. This volume, ‘The Story 
of the Seer -of Patmos,” is a companion volume to “The Story of 
Daniel the Prophet,” by the same author. We doubt not that this 
volume will equal or exceed the former in popularity. 

The author is a devoted minister of the gospel of long experience ; 
a deep and most earnest student of the holy Scriptures, and especially 
conversant with the subject of prophecy. He has given many years of 
careful study to the subjects contained in this volume. It is written 
for all classes of readers. The most intelligent professional man can 
find herein blessed food for thought, and precious instruction in the 
Bible-truths for this remarkable age. The business man can be greatly 
profited by the perusal of this volume. Men nccd to have their atten- 
tion called away from worldly themes, to the great things God is about 
to do in our world. The common people will rcad this volume with 
delight. It will open up great fields of thought which they have never 
before explored, while the Bible student will find in it a rich mine of 
treasure. 

The apostle John was an old man when he wrote the book of 
Revelation. It was a special revelation from Jesus Chnst Himsc!f, and 
reveals the order of events commencing in John’s time, and reaching to 
Christ’s second coming, under various heads and series of events: 
The Seven Churches, The Seven Seals, The Sever Trumpets, The 


INTRODUCTION. 9 


Three Messages, etc. -It ends with the glorious restitution of all things, 
spoken of by the “mouth of all the holy prophets since the world 
began.” Here are themes worthy of the most careful study. The 
author has made these mysterious symbols so plain, that any one who 
will carefully follow him can understand the book of Revelation. 

The study of this inspired book of Holy Writ is important. Christ 
-Himself says, ‘ Blessed is he that readeth, and they that ear the words 
of this prophecy, axd keep those things which are written therein: for 
the time is at hand.” 

We are living at the close of the great prophetic periods revealed 
in Daniel and Revelation. We greatly need the light contained in this 
volume. We most gladly welcome every additional ray of light shining 
on our pathway. The perils of the last days are around us. Great 
changes are occurring. Satanic deceptions abound on every hand. 
The time has come, foretold by our Saviour, when if it be possible, 
even the elect are in danger of deception. Matt. 24:23, 26. The 
Revelator speaks of the same things. Let all become intelligent in 
reference to these things. ‘The Story of the Seer of Patmos” will 
enlighten all who will read and study it. Our Saviour informs us 
that when the signs of His coming begin to come to pass His people 
should look up and lift up their heads, for their redemption draweth nigh. 

Ah! dear reader, do you not desire to be a citizen of that glorious 
city spoken of in the last chapters of Revelation, with its gates of pearl, 
streets of gold, wall of jasper, and foundations garnished with precious 
stones; where the tree of life shall grow, and the river of life flows out 
from beneath the throne of God; where Christ will ever dwell? Where 
God shall wipe away all tears from the eyes of His people; where death 
will never come, sorrow will never be felt, nor pain evermore exist? 
Study the blessed Revelation, and you will get new and blessed concep- 
tions of these great divine realities. 

Geo. I. BuTLer. 

Nashville, Tenn., April 24, 1905. 


A WORD TO THE READER. 


-_ 





Tue history of this world is fast closing. Events are taking place, 
in the physical, political, and spiritual world, which show that we 
are living in a crisis such as has never been since the creation of this 
world. The voice of innocent blood crieth from the ground, The 
nations are angry. Not one nation, but all the nations of earth, look for-’ 
ward with fearful apprehensions to what is coming. 

The prophet, in view of this time, exclaims, “ Watchman, what of 
the night? Watchman, what of the night?”’ The watchman said, “The 
morning cometh and also the night,”—the glorious morn of salvation 
that will bring deliverance to the people of God, and the night of eternal 
death to those who reject the repeated warnings given in the Word of 
God. Through John on the Isle of Patmos, the Lord lifts the veil, and 
lets us see the history of the church in its relation to the world. Seven 
times the prophet exhorts all who have an ear, to hear what the Spirit 
saith unto the churches. 

We invite all to a careful perusal of the contents of this book, with 
the prayer that God will impress minds by His Holy Spirit. It is not 
the design of the writer of the “Story of the Seer of Patmos” to arouse 
discussion and awaken controversy upon theoretical points, but to tell 
the truth as it is in Jesus Christ. 

The book is written in a narrative style, and the symbols are 
explained by the marginal references, so that the reader will readily find 
a mine of rich treasure in the book. The entire bock of Revelation is 
printed in italics on the margin of the pages, together with several thou- 
sand other scriptures which throw light on the subject. 

We earnestly pray that God’s klessing may rest upon the readers, 
and that the book may help many to become better acquainted with the 
Book of all books, the Word of the living God. 

Yours in the blessed hope, 
Ss. N. H. 


Io 


eS A 


CHAPIER. oF 


THE SEER OF PATMOS. 


THE men whom God has chosen as a means 
of communication between heaven and earth, 
form a galaxy of noted characters. The gift of 
prophecy is called the “best gift,” and the 
church is exhorted to covet that “best gift.” 
To be able to view scenes still future and to talk 


in the language of heaven, requires a closer walk 


with God than is attained by most men. But 
through all the ages, there have been those 
whose lives were so in unison with the laws of 
Jehovah that they became the channel of the 
Spirit ot God. 

t is not that such men have greater attain- 
ments’ than all others, but they are like the dense 








Disallowed indeed of men, but 
chosen of God, and precious. 

1 Peter 2:4. 

By a prophet the Lord brought 
Israel out of Egypt, and by a 
prophet was he preserved. 

Hos, 12:13. 

Gen. 20:7. 

1 Cor. 14:1. 

Enoch also, the seventh from 
Adam, prophesied of these, saying, 
Behold, the Lord cometh with ten 
thousand of his saints. Jude 14. 

Gen. 5:24. 

2 Cor. 12:1-5. 

Elias was a man subject to like 
passions as we are. Jas. 5:17. 

Amos 7:14, I5. 

I delight to do thy will, O my 
God: yea, thy law is within my 
heart. Psa. 40:8. 


NotTe.—In the margin are many passages of scripture that will direct the mind of the 
reader to those portions of the Bible which give light upon the story of the Seer of Patmos. 
In the texts quoted, marks of ellipsis are omitted ; and frequently several verses are cited in 


the reference, though only one or more are printed in full. 
11 


12 STORY 


When I bring a cloud over the 
earth, that the bow shall be seen in 
the cloud. Gen. 9:14. 


Eze. 1:28. 


1 Cor. 1 :25-28, 


I will look upon it, that I may 
remember the everlasting covenant. 
Gen. 9:16. 


Tosee thy power and thy glory 
so as I have seen thee in the sanct2 
uary. Psa. 63 +2. 


Isa. 63:9. 
Isa. 48:10, 11. 


Beloved, think it not strauge con- 
cerning the fiery trial which is to 
try you, as though some strange 
thing happened unto you. 

1 Peter 4:12. 


And when he had gone a little 
farther thence, he saw James the 
son of Zebedee, and John his 
brother, who also were in the ship 
mending their nets. 

And straightway he called them : 
and they left their father Zebedee 
in the ship with the hired servants, 
and went after him. 

Mark 1:19, 20. 


Rev. 1:9. 
ms 
Dan, 1:1. 


Dan. 2:31-45. 


These great beasts, which are 
four, are four kings, which shall 
arise out of the earth, 

But the saints of the Most High 
shall take the kingdom, and possess 
the kingdom forever, even forever 
and ever. Dan. 7:17, 18. 


And after threescore and two 
weeks shall Messiah be cut off, but 
not for himself. Dan. 9: 24-26. 


Dan. 1:3, 6. 


OF THE SEER OF PATMOS. a 


cloud with its falling rain drops, through which 
the sun shines to produce the rainbow in its glory. 

One forgets the cloud while watching the bow of 

promise. So with the prophet; one loses sight 

of the instrument through whom God speaks, by 

beholding the glory of the scene which He por- 

trays.~But lest the Spirit should be lost in its 

transmission, the chosen instrument must be 

purified in the furnace of affliction. Those tests 

which bring the human soul in touch with the 

divine are necessary experiences, before human 
eyes can see, or human tongues can speak of 
things yet future. 

Genesis,—that condensed treatise on the plan 
of salvation,—the work which contains the Gos- 
pel in embryo,—was written in the Midian des- 
ert, probably near Mount Horeb, while Moses 
watched the flocks of Jethro. Every other book 
in the Bible is but the unfolding of the truths of 
Genesis. It is the Alpha, and the book of Reve- 
lation is the Omega, of the Word of God to man. 

As God prepared Moses, by a life of forty 
years in the solitudes of Midian, so He called the 
Apostle John from the society of men, and led 
him along a strange path upward, and still up- 
ward, until at last on the rocky coast of Patmos, 
heaven was opened to his wondering gaze, and 
the future history of the church was made known. 

About six hundred years before the advent of 
Christ, there lived another seer, Daniel. To 
him God revealed the history of the nations of 
the world. From his own day, when Babylon 
bore universal sway, until nations should be no 
more, Daniel was shown the world’s history. In 
connection with the account of the rise and fall 
of nations, Daniel saw the history of his own 


THE SEER OF PATMOS. ye t8 


people, the Hebrew race, from their captivity in 
Babylon, until they rejected the Anointed of God. 
Daniel was of the royal seed of Israel, and was 
prime minister in the Court of Babylon during 
the years when this history was revealed to him. 
He of all men was fitted by education and posi- 
tion to write the history of the world. 





Genesis was written while Moses watched the flocks of Jethro. 


As foretold by ancient prophets, the Saviour 
came a servant of men. He was anointed at the 
very time predicted by the Prophet Daniel. 
«And Jesus when. He was baptized, went up 
straightway out of the water: and lo, the heavens 
were opened unto Him, and He saw the Spirit 
of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon 
Him: and loa voice from heaven, saying, This is 
My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” 


Luke 24:27. 

The path of the just is as the 
shining light, that shineth more 
and more unto the perfect day. 

Prov. 4:18. 


Then the king made Daniel a 
great man, and gave him many great 
gifts, and made him ruler over the 
whole province of Babylon, and 
chief of the governors over all the 
wise men of Babylon. 

: Dan. 2:48. 

Dan. 5:11, 12. 


Dan. 1:17, 20. 


Heb. 12:6, 
Heb. 12:8. 


Write the things which thou hast 
seen, and the things that are, and 
the things which shall be hereafter. 

Rev. 1:19. 


Dan. 8:27. 
Gen. 3:15. 


Now Moses kept the flock of 
Jethro his father-in-law, the priest 
of Midian: and he led the flock to 
the back side of the desert, and 
came to the mountain of God, even 
to Horeb. Ex. 3:1. 


Gen, 1:1. 


MESSIAH, 
Dan. 9:25. Sixty-nine weeks or 
483 years from the commandment 
to restore Jerusalem unto Messiah. 


Ezra 7:9-26. Command given 
450 I-2 B.C. 

John 1:41 [margin]. Messiah 
means Christ or anointed. 

Acts 10:38. Jesus was anointed 
with the Holy Ghost. 

Matt. 3:15-17. The Holy Ghost 
came on Christ at His baptism; 
483 years added to 456 1-2 years B. C. 
reaches to 26 1-2 A. D., or 27 A. D., 
the date of Christ’s baptism, 


14 STORY 


John 1 :36-38. 
Rev. 1:19. 


And the king appointed them a 
daily provision of the king’s meat, 
and of the wine which he drank: so 
nourishing them three years, that at 
the end thereof they might stand 
before the king. 

Now among these were of the 
children of Judah, Daniel, Hana- 
niah, Mishael, and Azariah. 

Dan. 1:5, 6. 

There is a God in heaven that 
revealeth secrets, and maketh known 
to the king Nebuchadnezzar what 
shall be in the latter days. Thy 
dream, and the visions of thy head 
upon thy bed, are these. 

Dan. 2:28. 

Luke 9 : 52-56. 

Mark 9 : 38-40. 

But go thou thy way till the end 
be: fer thou shalt rest, and stand 
in thy lot at the end of the days. 

Dan. 12:13. 


If I will that he tarry till I come, 
what is that to thee? follow thou 
me. John 21 :22. 


The Revelation of Jesus Christ, 
which God gave unto him, to shew 
unto his servants things which must 
shortly come to pass. Rev. 1:1. 


The disciples were called Chris- 
tians first in Antioch. 
Acts 11326, 


Rev. 2: 1-29. 
Rev. 3: 1-22. 
Rev. 6: 1-17. 
Rev. 8: 1-13. 
Rev. 9:1-21. 
Dan. 2: 48. 
Dan. 6:1-3. 
Mark 1 : 19, 20, 


OF THE SEER OF PATMOS. 


Standing on the banks of the Jordan, a witness 
to this anointing, was a young man chosen of 
Heaven, to continue the history begun by Daniel. 

The Hebrew prophet Daniel, was in the 
schools of Chaldea three years, during which 
time God revealed to the wise men of Babylon 
the superiority of the wisdom of God over all the 
learning of the world. While in that school, 
Daniel received the inspiration of the Holy 
Spirit. John the fisherman, the first of Christ’s 
disciples, spent three years at the side of the 
Master Teacher, receiving such instruction as 
fitted him, in spiritual things to become a leader 
of nations. Daniel will stand in his lot in the 
latter days, by his prophecies revealing the time 
of the end. John, according to the words of 
Christ, will by his prophecies tarry until the 
coming of the Saviour in the clouds of heaven. 
For, when in answer to Peter’s question concern- 
ing the future of the beloved disciple, Jesus said, 
“Tf I will that he tarry till I come,” He revealed 
the prophetic mission of that disciple. The 
Saviour saw him on Patmos receiving the Reve- 
lation. 

The prophecy as given to John is a revelation 
of Jesus Christ, and is the history of God’s deal- 
ings with the church which bears the name, 
Christian. Daniel is a history of nations; the 
Revelation is ecclesiastical history, and into it, 
nations are introduced only when they affect the 
growth of the church. 

The life of Daniel shows how God can work 
through men in high positions: the preparation 
of John for his work as a prophet is the story of 
the transformation wrought in the heart of a 


_ fisherman by the Spirit of God. The extremes 


THE SEER OF PATMOS. 


of society were represented by these two men 
The story of each life is the narration of the 
events of a life in which love worked, and is an 
object lesson of the development of Christian 
character. — 

In the town of Bethsaida, on the west shore 





lee, lived the fisherman, 
Zebedee, with his wife, Salome, and 
two sons, James and John. Thetwo youngmen 
were partners with their father in his business, 
and were accustomed to the toil and hardships 
of a fisherman’s life. A spirit of piety charac- 
terized the home; for beneath the rough exterior, 
was a desire to understand the Word of God. 
The promise of the Messiah had been read, and 
when it was known that the Prophet of the Wil- 
derness was preaching and baptizing at Enon, and 
proclaiming the advent of Christ, the younger 
son of Zebedee, in company with Andrew of 
Bethsaida, sought baptism. It was there that 
they witnessed the anointing, and heard the 
Baptist’s words, “Behold the Lamb of God.” 
John and Andrew were the two disciples who 
followed after Christ, and to whom He turned 
saying, “What seek ye?’’ They said unto Him, 
‘Rabbi . . . wheredwellest thou?” And 
when He led them to the place where He abode, 
- they talked with Him, they believed, and the 
nucleus of the Christian church was formed. 







of the Sea of Gali- 


{5 
Bethsaida of Galilee. 
John 12:21, 
Mark 6:45. 
Matt. 4:21. 
Matt. 27:56. 


Going on from thence, he saw 
other two brethren, James the 
son of Zebedee, and John his 
brother, in a ship with Zebedee 
their father, mending their nets. 

Matt. 4:21. 


For Moses of old time hath in 
every city them that preach him, 
being read in the synagogues every 
sabbath day. Acts 15:21. 


And John also was baptizing in 
Enon near to Salim, because there 
Was much water there: and they 
came, and were baptized. 

John 3 :23. 


Again the next day after, John 
stood, and two of his disciples ; 

And looking upon Jesus as he 
walked, he saith, Behold the Lamb 
of God! 

And the two disciples heard him 
speak, and they followed Jesus. 

Then Jesus turned, and saw them 
following, and saith unto them, 
What seek ye? They said unto 
him, Rabbi, (which is to say, being 
interpreted, Master,) where dwellest 
thou? 

He saith unto them, Come and 
see. They came and saw where he 
dwelt, and abode with him that day: 
for it was about the tenth hour. 

One of the two which heard John 
speak, and followed him, was An- 
drew, Simon Peter’s brother. 

John 3 :35-40. 


And I, if I be lifted up from the 
earth, will draw all men unto me. 
Jobn 12:32. 


16 


1 John 5:11, 12. 

1 Tim, 3:16, 

John 1:41 

John x: 42. 

Come, see a man, which told me 
all things that ever I did: is not 
this the Christ? 

John 4: 29. 

Gen. 32:28, 

Gen. 25:30. 

Beloved, let us love one another: 
for love is of God; and every one 
that loveth is born of God, and 
knoweth God. 

He that loveth not, knoweth not 
God ; for God is love. 

1 John 4:6-12, 

1 John 3:1. 

The soul of my lord shall be 
bound in the bundle of life with the 
Lord thy God. 

And the whole multitude sought 
to touch him: for there went virtue 
out of him, and healed them all. 

Luke 6: 19. 


1 Sam. 25 :29. 


Mark 5 :30. 
Luke 8: 46. 


Now there was leaning on Jesus’ 
bosom one of his disciples, whom 
Jesus loved. John 13:23. 


Whoso keepeth his word, in him 
verily is the love of God perfected 
hereby know we that we are in him, 

1 John 2:5. 

1 John 1:7. 

Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall 
not fulfil the lust of the flesh. 

For the flesh lusteth against the 
Spirit, and the Spirit against the 
flesh: and these are contrary the 
one to the other; so that ye cannot 
do the things that ye would. 

Gal. 5:16, 17. 

But Jesus called them to him, 
and saith unto them, Ye know that 
they which are accounted to rule 
over the Gentiles exercise lordship 
over them ; and their great ones ex- 
ercise authority upon them. 

But so shall it not be among you: 
but whosoever will be great among 
you, shall be your minister : 

And whosoever of you will be the 
chiefest, shall be servant of all. 

Mark 10 : 35-45. 


THE STORY OF THE SEER OF PATMOS. 


Christ, the center, the life, drew John, and the 
young man’s heart responded to the quickening 
touch. This was the beginning of a new life,— 
a soul communion. Andrew, too, was convinced 
of the divinity of Christ, but Andrew represents 
those who accept because the mind is convinced 
of truth. He sought at once for his brother 
Peter, saying, “‘ We have found the Messiah, 
. . the Christ, the Anointed.” And when 
Peter came to Christ he was convinced of the 
divine nature of Jesus, because the Saviour read 
his character and gave him a name in accord 
with Peter’s nature. 
But John represents those of the inner circle 
of discipleship. He was won by love, not argu- 
ment. His heart was held by love, and the whole 
theme of all his writings is love. He saw only 
love in Christ, and he responded freely to that 
wondrous drawing power. It was like an electric — 


- current flowing from Christ, and John desired to 


be ever in the circuit. He kept close to Jesus, 
walked hand in hand with Him, sat next to Him 
at the table, lay on His bosom,—he was “that 
disciple whom Jesus loved.” 

As long as John kept in touch with the divine 
life of the Master, there was nothing in his life 
out of harmony with the Saviour. That there 
were times when the harmony was broken, is 
true, and this was due to the fact that the hu- 
man in John had not yet been subdued. The 
human channel through which the spirit flowed, 
sometimes arrested the flow. This was the case 
when James and John asked to sit, one on the 
left, and the other on the right, of the throne in 
the new kingdom, Christ recognized the desire 
as a result of more than human affection, and so 


THE SEER OF PATMOS. 


in place of a rebuke, He attempted only to 
deepen and purify that love. 

The entire life of John tended to cleanse the 
soul temple, and to prepare him for his final 
work The union between the soul of Christ and 
John, is shown by numerous incidents. During 
the temptation of Jesus in the wilderness, John 
sought Him out, longing to go with Him. But 
Christ bade John return, for He did not wish the 
young man to witness the fierce struggles with 
the prince of darkness. When not allowed to 
remain as companion in the wilderness, he sought 
out Mary of Nazareth, who was in doubt as to 
the whereabouts of her Son Sitting by the side 
of the lonely mother, John related 
the story of Christ’s baptism, and 
told her of His present condition. 
He won his way into the heart of 
the family, as well as into the heart 
of Jesus This explains why the 
Saviour, when hanging on the cross, 
gave directions for John to makea 
home for this same mother. 

Such gentleness was not alto- 
gether natural with the sons of Zebe- 
dee; for when they first became 
Christ’s followers, He called James 
and John “Boanerges,” “Sons of Thunder.” They 
possessed an ambitious, hasty, outspoken spirit, 
which was subdued by association with the 
Saviour. The natural inclinations were replaced 
by contrition, faith, and love. John especially 
yielded to that power of the Christ. 

Every experience of this disciple pointed un- 
mistakably to the crowning work of his life. 
When the Saviour had returned to heaven, John 

2 


17 


Be ye clean, that bear the vessels 
of the Lord, Isa. 52:11. 


Matt. 17:1. 
Mark 5 :37. 
Mark 13 :3. 
Luke 8:51. 
Luke 22 :8. 


Then saith Jesus unto him, Get 
thee hence, Satan : for it is written, 
Thou shalt worship the Lord thy 
God, and him only shalt thou serve. 

Then the devil leaveth him, and 
behold, angels came and ministered 
unto him, Matt. 4:10, 11. 


Luke 3 :21, 22. 


John 19:26, 27. 





Sitting by the side of the lonely mother, John 
relates the story of Christ’s baptism. 


James the son of Zebedee, and 
John the brother of James; and 
he surnamed them Boanerges, which 
is. The sons of thunder. 

Mark 3:17. 

1 John 3 :23. 


Iam crucified with Christ: nev- 
ertheless I live; yet not I, but 
Christ liveth in me: and the life 
which I now live in the flesh I live 
by the faith of the Son of God, who 
loved me, and gave himself for me. 


Gal. 2:20, 


18 STORY 


NEW TESTAMENT PROPHETS. 

Acts 7:37. Jesus. 

Matt. 11 :g-11. John the Bap- 
tist. 

2 Cor. 12:1-7. Paul. 

Rey. 1:10. John. 

Acts 10:9-17. Peter. 

Acts 11:27, 28. Agabus and one 
other. 

Acts21:8,9. Philip’s four daugh- 
ters. 

Acts 15 232. 

Luke 1:67. Zacharias. 

Luke 2:25--28. Simeon. 

Luke 2:36. Anna. 

James 5:1-5. James, 


Judas and Silas. 


Take, my brethren, the prophets, 
who Fave spoken in the name of the 
Lord, for an example of suffering 
affliction, and of patience. 

James 5:10. 

Truly our fellowship is wita the 
Father, and with his Son Jesus 
Christ. 1 John 1:3. 

And this is life eternal, that they 
might know thee the only true God, 
and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast 
sent. John 17 : 2-4. 


And he shall be as the light of the 
morning, when the sun riseth, even 
a morning without clouds. 

2 Sam. 23 :3, 4. 


And John answered him, saying, 
Master, we saw one casting ott 
devils in thy name, and he followeth 
not us; and we forbade him, be- 
cause he followeth not us. 

But Jesus said, Forbid him not: 
for there is no man which shall do 
a miracle in my name, that can 
lightly speak evil of me. 

Mark 9 : 38, 39. 

Rom, 2:1. 

Matt. 7:1. 

Rom. 14:3, 4. 

And when his disciples James 
and John saw this, they said, Lord, 
wilt thou that we command fire to 
come down from heaven, and con- 
sume them, even as Elias did? 

But he tured, and rebuked them, 
and said, Ye know not what man- 
ner of spirit ye are of. 

Luke 9:54, 55. 


OF THE SEER OF PATMOS, 


would become the medium of communication be- 
tween God and man. He was not the only 
prophet of the apostolic church, for sixteen oth- 
ers are named in the New Testament; but to 
him was given the mosc extended view of the 
future work of Godin the earth. Bearing in mind 
that the eye of Heaven was upon John, and that 
he was in every act preparing for that noblest of 
callings, although he knew it not, the history of 
this disciple becomes a wonderful object lesson 
to those who live in the end of time. 

He yielded himself fully to the teachings of 
the Man of God; his mind met the mind of 
Christ ; his soul touched the soul of the Divine 
One. Life flowed from Christ, begetting life in 
the disciples. This is Christian experience ; this 
will be the experience of all who live to see the 
Saviour coming in the clouds of Heaven; and 
this experience enabled John to say, “Of His 
fullness have we all received, and grace for 
grace.” 

The growth in grace was a gradual develop- 
ment, and, at times, an unholy zeal over-mastered 
the tenderness which Christ constantly sought - 
to impart. There was one man who cast out 
devils, and John rebuked him because this man 
was not like the disciples a follower of the Savy- 
iour. This spirit of judging all others by a self- 
reared standard, was rebuked in the words of the 
Master, ‘Forbid them not.” When the Samari- 
tans offered insult to the Saviour, John was the 
one who wished to call down fire from heaven 
and destroy them. He was surprised when the 
Saviour revealed to him the fact that such a 
spirit was one of persecution, and that He, the 
Son of God, had not “come to destroy mens’ 


THE SEER OF PATMOS. 


lives, but to save them.”” Each correction was 
keenly felt, but it opened to the mind of John 
the principle of divine government, and revealed 
to him the depth of divine love. 

Near the close of Christ’s ministry, the mother 
of James and John came to ask for her sons the 
place of honor in His kingdom. Salome herself 
was a follower of Christ, and the great love of 
the family for the Saviour, led them all to desire 
to be near Him. Love always draws us near the 
object of our love. Jesus saw what the granting 
of the request would imply, and in tones of sad- 
ness, answered that the place nearest the throne 
would be occupied by those who endured most, 
who sacrificed most, and who loved most. In 





Salome asks for her sons the place of 
honor in His kingdom. 


later life John comprehended the meaning of the 
answer ; for he was given a view of the redeemed 
as they will gather on the sea of glass about the 
throne. j 

These human desires came at times when the 
life current was partially broken. At other 


19 


Now no chastening for the pres- 
ent seemeth to be joyous, but griev- 
ous. Heb. 12:11. 


Then came to him the mother of 
Zebedee’s children with her sons, 
worshipping him, and desiring a 
certain thing of him. 

And he said unto her, What wilt 
thou? She saith unto him, Grant 
that these my two sons may sit, the 
one on thy right hand, and the other 
on the left, in thy kingdom. 

Matt. 20:20, 21. 


My beloved is white and ruddy, 
the chiefest among ten thousand. 
Sol. Songs 5: 10. 


I am my beloved’s, and his desire 
istoward me. Sol. Songs 7:10. 


To sit on my right hand, and on 
my left, is not mine to give, but it 
shall be given to them for whom it 
is prepared of my Father. 

Matt. 20:23. 


And I saw as it were a sea of 
glass mingled with fire: and them 
that had gotten the victory over the 
beast, and over his image, and over 
his mark, and over the number of 
his name, stand on the sea of glass, 
having the harps of God. 


Rev. 15 21-3. 


Thou hast made. me to serve with 
thy sins. Isa. 43 224. 


Thou art all fair, my love; there 
is no spot in thee. 
Sol. Songs 4:7. 


Luke 9 : 28-36, 
Matt. 17:1-13. 
Mark 9 :2-10, 


20 STORY 


Then cometh Jesus with them 
unto a place called Gethsemane, and 
saith unto the disciples, Sit ye here, 
while I go and pray yonder. 

And he took with him Peter and 
the two sons cf Zcbedee, and began 
to be sorrowful and very heavy. 

Matt. 26 : 36, 37. 





And he cometh unto the disciples, 
and findeth them asleep, and saith 
unto Peter, What, could ye not 
watch with me one hour? 

Watch and pray, that ye enter 
not into temptation: the spirit in- 
deed is willing, but the flesh is 
weak, 

He went away again the second 
time, and prayed, saying, O my 
Father, if this cup may not pass 
away from me, except I drink it, thy 
willbe done. 

And he came and found them 
asleep again: for their eyes were 
heavy. 

? Matt. 26 : 40-43. 

Knowing this, that the trying of 
your faith worketh patience. 

Jas. O23. 

And they all forsook him, and fled. 

Mark 14 : 50. 

And Simon Peter followed Jesus, 
and so did another disciple: that 
disciple was known unto the high 
priest, and went in with Jesus into 
the palace of the high priest. 

But Peter stood at the door with- 
out. Then went out that other dis- 
ciple, which was known unto the 
high priest, and spake unto her that 
kept the door, and brought in Peter, 

John 18:15, 16, 


OF THE SEER OF PATMOS. 


times its flow was steady and strong. Thus it 
was when John stood with Christ on the Mount 
of Transfiguration, and heard the voices of Moses 
and Elijah, as they sought to strengthen the 
Saviour for His soon coming death. John sat at 


John 
pressed 
close 

to the 
Saviour’s 
side. 


the Saviour’s left hand at the Passion Supper, 
and as the little company of twelve walked in the 
moonlight toward Olivet on that last night, John 
pressed close to the Saviour’s side. As they en- 
tered the Garden of Gethsemane, eight of the 
disciples remained without the gate ; while Peter, 
James, and John went on a little farther. The 
Son of Man longed to have John sit beside Him 
during that bitter struggle; and although John 
had lived so near to Jesus, yet he failed to grasp 
that last opportunity which would have placed 
him next the throne. While the Saviour pleaded 
in agony, and finally fell fainting to the ground, 
John was sleeping. The flesh was weak although 
the spirit was willing. His love so fervent, was 
still weakened by the clay channel through which 
it flowed. Still more bitter trials were needed 
to burn out all the dross. 

Having slept, he too fled when the mob came 
for the Saviour, but his love drew him back. 
Ashamed of his cowardice, he returned, and en- 


THE SEER OF PATMOS. 


tered the judgment hall, keeping close to the 
man condemned as a criminal. All night long 
he watched and prayed, and hoped soon to see a 
flash of divinity which would forever silence the 
accusers. He followed to Calvary. Every nail 
that was driven seemed to tear his own flesh. 
Faint, he turned away, but came back to support 
the mother of Jesus, who stood at the foot of 
the cross. That dying cry pierced to his very 
heart ; the One whom he had loved was dead. 
Unable to comprehend the meaning of it all, yet 
he helped prepare the body for burial, and with 
the other sorrowing disciples passed a lonely 
Sabbath. Life seemed scarcely worth living; 
for He for whom they had given up everything, 
and whom they had believed to be the Son of 
God, was silent in death. The words which 
Christ had spoken concerning His own death, 
and which John should have understood, had 
fallen on deaf ears. Much as he loved his Lord 
he was dull of hearing. 

On the morning of the resurrection John was 
the first of the twelve to reach the tomb; for he 
outran Peter, when Mary Magdalene reported 
that the body was gone. Seeing the folded nap- 
kin in the sepulchre, he recognized the familiar 
touch of a risen Saviour, and believed. 

On the evening after the resurrection John re- 
ceived the benediction when Christ appeared ; 
but since he could no longer see his Master with 
the physical eye, he returned to his fishing on the 
shores of the Sea of Galilee. But Jesus sought 
him again, and bade him go forth a fisher of men. 
In the last recorded interview between Christ and 
His disciples, the Saviour prophetically gave the 
work of Peter and John, those two earnest fol- 


21 


And all his acquaintance, and the 
women that followed him from Gal- 
ilee, stood afar off, beholding these 
things. Luke 23 : 49. 

John 19 :26, 27. 

And about the ninth hour Jesus 
cried with a loud voice, saying, Eli, 
Eli, lama sabachthani? that is to 
say, My God, my God, why hast 
thou forsaken me? 

Jesus, when he had cried again 
with a loud voice, yielded up the 
ghost. Matt. 27 : 46, 50. 

Luke 23 : 50-53. 

Mark 15 : 42-47. 

And that day was the preparation, 
and the sabbath drew on. 

And the women also, which came 
with him from Galilee, followed 
after, and behe!d the sepelchre, and 
how his body was laid. 

And they returned, and prepared 
spices and ointments; and rested 
the sabbath day according to the 
commandment, 

Luke 23 54-56. 

Matt. 16 :21-23. 

Matt. 20:17-19. 

Mark 8 : 31-33. 

Mark 9 :31, 32. 

Mark 10 :32-34. 

Isa. 29 : 10. 

Luke 9:21, 22. 

Luke 18, 31-34. 

And the napkin, that was about 
his head, not lying with the linen 
clothes, but wrapped together in a 
place by itself. 

Then went in also that other dis- 
ciple, which came first to the sepul- 
chre, and he saw, and believed. 

John 20 : 4-9. 

John 20: 19-23. 

Simon Peter saith unto them, I 
goafishing. They say unto him, 
We also go with thee. They went 
forth, and entered into a ship imme- 
diately ; and that night they caught 
nothing. John 21: 1-3. 


Verily, verily, I say unto thee, 
When thou wast young, thou gird- 
edst thyself, and walkedst whither 
thou wouldest : but when thou shalt 
be old, thou shalt stretch forth thy 
hands, and another shall gird thee, 
and carry thee whither thou would- 
est not. 


22 STORY 


Then spake he, signifying by what 
death. he should glorify God. And 
when he had spoken this, he saith 
unto him, Follow me. 


Then Peter, turning about, seeth 
the disciple whom Jesus loved fol- 
lowing ; which also leaned on his 
breast at supper, and said, Lord 
which is he that betrayeth thee? 


Peter seeing him saith to Jesus 
Lord, and what shall this man done 


jesus saith unto him, If 1 wilt 
that he tarry till I come, what is 
that to thee? follow thou me. 
John 21 : 18-22. 














Her sins, 
which are many, 
are forgiven. for 
she loved much 
but to whom lit 
tle is forgiven, 
the same loveth 
littie 
Luke 7 : 47- 


And when James, Cephas, and 
John, who seemed to be pillars; 
perceived the grace that was given 
unto me, they gave to me and Bar 
nabas the right hands of fellowship. 

Gal, 2:9. 

And the people of the prince that 
shall come shall destroy the city 
and the sanctuary. 

Dan. 9:26. 


OF THE SEER OF PATMOS. 


lowers, who had passed through so many clouds, 
and yet had seen such bright rays of sunlight. 
Peter was told it would be his lot to follow his 
Lord to the cross. When he asked the fate of 
John, Christ replied, “If I will that he tarry till 
I come, what is that to thee?” 

The life of John is but briefly referred to after 
the ascension. He remained in Jerusalem for a 


number of years, and was known as one of the 
pillars of that church as late as A.D. 58. John’s 


Isle of Patmos. Distant View. 


fervent love for the Saviour grew stronger as he 
suffered oppression and imprisonment. His own 
brother, James, was among the first martyrs to 
the cause of Christianity. Living as John did 
at the center of the work, he witnessed the 
spread of the truth, and knew of its triumphs as 


THE SEER OF PATMOS. 


well as its vicissitudes. Roman oppression became 
greater. The city of Jerusalem was destroyed 
by the army of Titus, and John was banished to 
the Isle of Patmos. He himself says that he 
was there for the “Word of God, and for the 
Testimony of Jesus Christ.” 

It is a beautiful thought that he whose heart 
was so bound up in Jerusalem and the Hebrew 
race, and who was always so true to both, should 
have been permitted to see the glories of the 
New Jerusalem, the city finally to take the place 
of his own earthly Zion. To him was given the 
entire history of the church of God, which must 
do the work rejected by his own race. 

The road from the Jordan to the rocky height 
of Patmos was a steep and stony way; but when 
he sat alone upon the mountain side overlooking 
the sea, the intense love, the soul union with 
Christ, which those previous years had developed, 
enabled that ‘disciple whom Jesus loved ”’ to be- 
come the connecting link between heaven and 
earth. Gabriel, Christ’s own angel, stood by the 
side of the last survivor of the chosen twelve, 
and opened to his vision the glories of the future. 
A nature less spiritual would have failed to grasp 
the picture of eternity ; a mind less consecrated 
could not have been the channel for sucha flood 
of divine enlightenment. 

In the Midian desert, where none but God 
was near, Moses wrote Genesis, the Alpha of all 
things. John wrote Revelation—the complete 
unfolding of that first book—the Omega—when 
alone on an island in the midst of the sea. 
The pen of him who wrote the history of crea- 
tion, was guided by the same angel who bore to 
John the heavenly message concerning the con- 
summation of the plan of redemption. 


23 


Rev. 1:9. 
The testimony of Jesus is the 
spirit of prophecy. Rev. 19:10. 
Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: 
they shall prosper that love thee. 
Psa. 122 76, 


AndI John saw the holy city, 
new Jerusalem, coming down from 
God out of heaven, prepared as a 
bride adorned for her husband, 


Rey. 21:2. 


For if God spared not the nat- 
ural branches, take heed lest he 
also spare not thee. 

Rom, 11:21. 


Many waters cannot quench love, 
neither can the floods drown it: 
ifa man would give all the sub- 
stance of his house for Icve, it 
would utterly oe contemned. 

Sol. Songs 8:7. 

If there be a prophet among you, 
I the Lord will make myself known 
unto him in a vision, and will 


speak unto him in a dream. 
Num, 12:6. 
Dan. 10:21. 
Dan. 8: 16. 
Rev. 1:1. 


But the natural man receiveth not 
the things of the Spirit of God: 
for they are foolishness unto him: 
neither can he know them, because 
they are spiritually discerned. 

x Cor. 2:14. 

And beginning at Moses and all 
the prophets, he expounded unto 
them in all the Scriptures the things 
concerning himself, 

Luke 24:27. 

And I John saw these things, and 
heard them. And when I had 
heard and seen, I fell down to wer- 
ship before the feet of the angel ~ 
which shewed me these things. 

Then saith he unto me, See thou 
do it not: for I am thy fellow sery- 
ant, and of thy brethren the proph- 
ets, and of them which keep the 
sayings of this book: worship God. 

Rev. 22 38, 9. 

I will raise them up a Prophet 
from among their brethren, like 
unto thee, and will put my words in 
his mouth ; and he shall speak unto 
them all that I shall command him. 

Deut. 18: 18. 


24 STORY OF THE SEER OF PATMOS. 


Acts 3:22, 23. Moses recorded the story of Creation and the 
Fall, and by faith he grasped the promise of a 
Pre edie Redeemer. John lived with that Redeemer, and 
Zech. 1424, 5+ as he stood on Patmos, he looked back into the 
past to the place where Moses stood on Pisgah, 
pry and then forward to the City of God, which he 


saw descending on the Mount of Olives. The 
two mountain peaks from which all history can 
be viewed are Genesis and Revelation, the be- 
ginning and the end, the first and the last. 








Sohn the Beloved. 





I’m growing very old. This weary head 

That hath so often leaned on Jesus’ breast 

In days long past that seem almost a dream, 

Is bent and hoary with its weight of years. 

These limbs that followed Him—my Master—oft 
From Galilee to Judah, yea, that stood 

Beneath the cross, and trembled with His groans, 
Refuse to bear me even through the streets 

To preach unto my children. E’en my lips 
Refuse to form the words my heart sends forth. 
My ears are dull, they scarcely hear the sobs 

Of my dear children gathered round my couch; 
God lays His hand upon me,—yea, His hand 
And not His vod,—the gentle hand that I 

Felt, those three years, so often pressed in mine 
In friendship such as passeth woman’s love. 


I’m old,—so old I can not recollect 

The faces of my friends, and I forget 

The words and deeds that make my daily life; 
But that dear face and every word He spoke 
Grow more distinct as others fade away, 

So that I live with Him and holy dead 

More than with the living. 


25 


26 ‘STORY OF THE SEER OF PATMOS. 


Some seventy years ago 
I was a fisher by the sacred sea. 
It was at sunset. How the tranquil tide 
Bathed dreamily the pebbles! How the light 
Crept up the distant hills, and in its wake 
Soft, purple shadows wrapped the dewy fields! 
And then He came and called me. Then I gazed, 
For the first time, on that sweet face. Those eyes, 
From out of which, as from a window, shone 
Divinity, looked on my inmost soul 
And lighted it forever. Then His words 
Broke on the silence of my heart, and madé 
The whole world musical. Incarnate Love 
Took hold of me, and claimed me for its own. 
I followed in the twilight, holding fast 
His mantle. 


O, what holy walks we had, 
Through harvest fields and desolate, dreary wastes! 
And oftentimes He leaned upon my arm, 
Wearied and wayworn. I was young and strong, 
And so upbore Him. Lord, now /am weak, 
And old, and feeble! Let me rest on Thee! 
So, put Thine arm around me. Closer still ! 
How strong Thou art! The twilight grows apace. 
Come, let us leave these noisy streets, and take 
The path to Bethany, for Mary’s smile 
Awaits us at the gate, and Martha’s hands 
Have long prepared the cheerful evening meal. 
Come, James, the Master waits; and Peter, see, 
Has gone some steps before. 


What say you, friends? 
That this is Ephesus, and Christ has gone 
Back to His kingdom? Ay, ’tis so, ’tis so. 
I know it all; and yet, just now I seemed 
To stand once more upon my native hills, 
And touch my Master. O, how oft I’ve seen 
The touching of His garment bring back strength 
To palsied limbs! I feel it has to mine. 


JOHN THE BELOVED. 27 


UP! bear me once more tomy church! Once more 
There let me tell them of a Saviour’s love; 

For, by the sweetness of my Master’s voice 

Just now, I think He must be very near,— 

Coming, I trust, to break the veil, which time 

Has worn so thin that I can see beyond, 

And watch His footsteps. 


So, raise my head. 
How dark itis! I can not seem to see 
The faces of my flock. Is that the sea 
That murmurs so, or is it weeping? Hush, 
My little children! God so loved the world 
He gave His Son. So love ye one another. 
Love God and man. Amen. Now bear me back, 
My legacy unto an angry world is this. 
I feel my work is finished. Are the streets so full? 
What call the folk my name,—the Holy John? 
Nay, write me rather, Jesus Christ’s beloved, 
And lover of my children. 


Lay me down 

Once more upon my couch, and open wide 
The eastern window. See, there comes a light 
Like that which broke upon my soul at eve, 
When, in the dreary Isle of Patmos, Gabriel came 
And touched me on the shoulder. See, it grows 
As when we mounted toward the pearly gates. 
I know the way! I trod it once before. 
And hark! It is the song the ransomed sang 
Of glory to the Lamb! How loud it sounds! 
And that unwritten one! Methinks my soul 
Can join it now. 

: O my Tork: my Roedi 
Plow bright Thou art! and yet the very same 
I loved in Galilee. °*Tis worthy the hundred years 
To feel this bliss! So lift me up, dear Lord, 
Unto Thy bosom. There shall I abide. 
; — Selected. 





CHAPTER UAL 


THE AUTHOR OF THE REVELATION. 


The Revelation of Jesus Ghrist, 
which God gave unto him, to shew 
unto his servants things which 
must short/y come to pass; and 
he sent and signified it by his 
angel unto his servant John. 

Rev. 71:1. 

For in him dwelleth all the ful- 
ness of the Godhead bodily. 

Col. 2:9. 

John r:1. 


And the Word was made flesh, 
and dwelt among us, (and we be- 
held his glory, the glory as of the 
only begotten of the Father,) full of 


grace and truth, John 1:14. 


Heb. 2:14. 

For there is one God, and one 
mediator between God and men, the 
man Christ Jesus. x Tim, 2:5. 

Rev. 1:9. 

Believe me that I am in the Fa- 
ther, and the Father in me: or else 
believe me for the very works’ sake. 


John 14:11. 
Matt. 1:21. 
John 1:41 [margin.] 
Dan. 9:26. 


Behold, a virgin shall be with 
child, and shall bring forth a son, 
and they shall call his name Em- 
manuel, which being interpreted is, 
God with us, Matt. 1 : 23. 


28 


Tue first chapter of Revelation is an introduc- 
tion to the entire book. The first three verses 
are a preface to the chapter, and the first verse 
is the key, not only to Revelation, but to every 
prophetic book in the Bible, showing how all 
prophecy is given. In this first verse is given 
the title of the book, the author of the prophecy, 
jts object, the manner in which it came, and the 
agent of God in making known the history of 
future events. 

It is “The Revelation of Jesus Christ.” It 
is not the Revelation of John, as many seem to 
think; for then it would cease to be prophecy, 
and as a history, would rank no higher than the 
works of many other writers. John calls him- 
self our “brother and companion in tribulation.” 
It is the Revelation of Jesus Christ,—an unfold- 
ing of the life of the God-man. Jesus means 
Saviour. ‘Thou shalt call His name Jesus: for 
He shall save His people from their sins.” Jesus 
was the name given by the angel when he talked 
with Mary, the mother of Jesus. Christ means 


THE AUTHOR OF THE REVELATION. 29 


anointed: Jesus Christ is the anointed Saviour ; 
prophets of old had foretold of His mission on 
earth, and named Him Ammanuels*‘ God with us.” 

To John, then, was laid open, or made mani- 
fest, the mystery of Emmanuel, the union of the 
divine and human, the Christ. The entire book 
of Revelation is an explanation of the azvine life 
which God placed in the human mold, and gave 
to man for all eternity. “Divinity needed hu- 
manity ; for it required both the divine and the 
human to bring salvation to the world. Divinity 
needed humanity, that humanity might afford a 
channel of communication between God and 
man.” Humanity was lost without divinity. 
Salvation came by the union of the two in Christ. 
The union formed in Him will never be severed, 
for the church to which His teachings gave birth 
is a child of God, and the history of the church 
is the history of Emmanuel,—the mystery of 
godliness. Adam was made in the image of 
God, and was a son of God; but sin severed the 
tie, and the children of Adam were born in sin. 
But Christ, the second Adam, was the Son of 
God; and the church, the only begotten of 
Christ, partakes of the nature of the Father, and 
stands before the world to perpetuate His name, 
—Emmanuel. This family name will never be- 
come extinct. “I [Paul] bow my knees unto 
the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, of whom 
the whole family in heaven and earth is named.” 

The continued history of Emmanuel, as read 
in the life of the Christian Church, is what was 
revealed to John by the angel Gabriel, Christ’s 
attendant,—that member of the heavenly host 
whose duty it has long been to make known the 
mystery of God to His servants. God desires 


And without controversy great is 
the mystery of godliness: God was 
manifest in the flesh, justified in 
the Spirit, seen of angels, preached 
unto the Gentiles, believed on in 
the world, received up into glory. 

r Tim, 3:16. 


To wit, that God was in Christ, 
reconciling the world unto himself, 
not imputing their trespasses unto 
them ; and hath committed unto us 
the word of reconciliation. 

Now then we are ambassadors for 
Christ, as though God did beseech 
you by us: we pray you in Christ’s 
stead, be ye reconciled to God. 

2 Cor. 5:19, <0. 


Luke 19: 10. 


Having abolished in his flesh the 
enmity, even the law of command- 
ments contained in ordinances ; fer 
to make in himself of twain one 
new man, so making peace. 

Eph, 2:15, 16. 


Eph. 3 : 10, 11. 


So God created man in his own 
image, in the image of God created 
he him ; male and female created he 
them. Gen. 1:27. 


And so it is written, The first man 
Adam was made a living soul ; the 
last Adam was made a quickening 
spirit. 1 Cor. 15 345. 

Eph. 3:11-17. 


Who is he that condemneth? It 
is Christ that died, yea rather, that 
is risen again, who is even at the 
right hand of God, who also mak- 
eth intercession for us. 

Rom. 8 :34. 

Eph, 3:14, 15. 

Who bare record of the word of 
God, and of the testimony of Je- 


sus Christ, and of all things that 
he saw. Rev. 1:2, 


Dan. 10:21. 
Dan. 8: 16. 


I have written to him the great 
things of my law, but they were 
counted as a strange thing. 

Hos. 8:12. 


30 STORY 


The secret things belong unto the 
Lord our God: but those things 
which are revealed belong unto us 
and to our children forever, that we 
may do all the words of this law. 

Deut. 29:29. 

I have also spoken by the proph- 
ets,and I have multiplied visions, 
and used similitudes, by the minis- 
try of the prophets. 

Hos, 12:10. 


Num. 12:6-8. 


And the Word was made flesh, 
and dwelt among us, (and we beheld 
his glory, the glory as of the only 
begotten of the Father,) full of 
grace and truth, John 1:14. 


Heb. 4: 12-15. 
John 15:10. 
John 16:7, 8 
Rev. 19:10. 


But ye have an unction from 
the Holy One, and ye know all 
things. 1 John 2:20, 27. 


Yea, if thou criest after knowl- 
edge, and liftest up thy voice for 
understanding ; 

If thou seekest her as silver, and 
searchest for her as for hid treas- 
ures ; 

Then shalt thou understand the 
fear of the Lord, and find the 
knowledge of God. 

Prov. 2 :3-5- 


Blessed is he that readeth, and 
they that hear the words of this 
prophecy, and keep those things 
which are written therein: for 
the time is at hand, 

Rev. 1:8, 


OF THE SEER OF PATMOS. 


that man should comprehend the nature of His 
law and the manner of His working. 

Near the close of the first century, Gabriel 
was bidden to open to the Prophet on Patmos the 
signs, or symbols, by which John might under- 
stand the history of the work of God in the earth. 
God reveals Himself to man in various ways. 
«Nature is the mirror of divinity ;’ the Word of 
God is His character in human language; Christ 
was that Word lived in human form, and the body 
of Christ—the church—has, in addition to these 
methods, the providences, or leadings, of the 





Spirit. Thus John “bare record of the Word of 
God,” as written and as lived in Christ ; and he 
bare record also “‘of the testimony of Jesus 
Christ,” ‘which is the spirit of prophecy,” and 
he likewise bare record of the signs which Ga- 
briel presented to his vision,—the ‘all things 
that he saw.” 

A heavenly benediction is pronounced upon 
him ‘that readeth, and they that hear the words 
of this prophecy,” and upon those who “ keep 
those things which are written therein.” It must 
needs be that the things written by John can be 
understood, else why the blessing that is here 
pronounced? Since the book is a revelation of 


THE AUTHOR OF THE REVELATION. 


Jesus Christ to the servants of the Most High, 
all who are His servants will study and under- 
stand the prophecy. Every doctrine necessary 
for salvation was given in the revelation of Christ, 
and the book becomes a compendium of the 
whole Bible. The blessing pronounced upon the 
servants to whom it is sent, is an eternal bless- 
ing; “For thou blessest, O Lord, and it shall be 
blessed forever.” 

John, while on the island, away from the work 
with which he had been so long and so intimately 
associated, away from friends and companions, 
often let his mind wander to the scene of his 
former jabors. As he looked toward the shores 
of Asia Minor, there came up before him the 
picture of the companies of believers who were 
standing for the truth in the midst of pagan dark- 
ness. He loved those followers of his Lord, and 
through him, Christ sent a message to each of 
“the seven churches which are in Asia.” The 
Spirit used each of those churches to represent 
a period in the history of the work of God on 
earth, the seven covering the time from the life 
of John to the closing events in the history of 
the world. 

There was a peculiar significance in the loca- 
tion of these seven churches. Asia Minor, or 
more particularly the western portion of the pen- 
insula to which the term Asza is applied in Rev. 
1:4, held in the spread of Christianity, a posi- 
tion corresponding to that which was occupied 
by Palestine in the history of the Jewish nation. 
When God wished to make the Hebrew race the 
\eading government of earth, He chose, for the 
seat of that government, a position unrivaled by 
any other portion of the globe. Palestine was 


31 


2 Tim, 3:15, 16. 
John 5 :39. 


1 Chron. 17:27. 


Thou shalt hide them in the secret 
of thy presence from the pride of 
man: thou shalt keep them secretly 
in a pavilion from the strife of 
tongues. Psa. 31320. 


Jer. 15 215-18. 
Deut. 33 3. 


John to the seven churches which 
are in Asia: Grace be unto you, 
and peace, from him which is, and 
which was, and which is to come; 
and from the seven Spirits which 
are before his throne ; 

And from Jesus Christ, who is 
the faithful witness, and the first 
begotten of the dead, and the 
prince of the kings of the earth. 
Unto him that loved us, and washed 
us from our sins in his own blood. 

Rev, 1:4, 6. 


Rev. 12:17. 


Beautiful for situation, the joy of 
tle whole earth, is mount Zion, on 
the sides of the north, the city of 
the great King. Psa. 48 :2. 


" Out of Zion, the perfection of 
beauty, God hath shined. 
Psa. 50:2. 


32 STORY 


All that pass by clap their hands 
at thee; they hiss and wag their 
head at the daughter of Jerusalem, 
saying, Is this the city that men 
call The perfection of beauty, The 
joy of the whole earth? 

Lam, 2:15. 


Acts 19 : 8-10. 
Acts 19 : 18-20, 
Acts 2:5-11. 


Go ye therefore, and teach all na. 
tions, baptizing them in the name 
of the Father, and of the Son, and 
of the Holy Ghost : 

Teaching them to observe all 
things whatsoever I have com- 
manded you: and, lo, I am with 
you alway, even unto the end of the 
world. Amen. 

Matt. 28: 19,20. 


Ex. 3 :2-6. 


And God said unto Moses, I AM 
THAT I AM: and he said, Thus 
shalt thou say unto the children of 
Israel, I AM hath sent me unto 
you. Ex. 3:14. 


John 20:22. 
x Gor. 1:3. 
2Cor.. 1!2. 

2 Cor. 13:14. 
Gal. 1:3. 
Eph, 1:2. 
Phil. 1:2. 
Colini<2. 

1 Thess. r: 1 
2 Thess. 1:2. 
1 Tim. 1:2. 
2 Tim. 1:2. 
Titus 1:4. 
Phil iz. 


He is despised and rejected of 

men; a man of sorrows, and ac- 

quainted with grief: and we hid as 

it were our faces from him ; he was 

despised, and we esteemed him not. 
Isa. 53 :3- 


OF THE SEER OF PATMOS. . 


the highway between the South and the East 
and between the East and the West. When the 
power of God passed from this nation to the 
Christian Church, Asia Minor became the center 
of activity and the base of operation. In those 
seacoast towns, and in Ephesus above all others, 
Jew and Gentile met on equal footing. Every 
nationality,—Parthians, Medes, Elamites, and 
dwellers in Mesopotamia, representing the far 
North and East, met in trade, with citizens of 
Rome, Egypt, and Cyrene, men from the South 
and the West. Into these busy marts the Chris- 
tian faith penetrated, and from these centers, the 
knowledge of the Christ was spread to all the 
world. 

Jehovah, the Great I AM, who appeared to 
Moses in the burning bush, the Father of us all, 
who meets us where we are,—He, the Ever 
Present, breathed His blessing on the church 
called by the name of HisSon. And from “the 
seven spirits which are before His throne,’’ and 
from Jesus Christ, the visible manifestation of 
that Spirit, came the greeting of grace and peace 
to the companies who should be known by the 
name of the Anointed. 

Here is inscribed the name of the author of 
the Revelation. He, who to-day witnesses for 
us in the heavenly court, is the “faithful wit- 
ness,’ “the first begotten of the dead,” “the 
prince of the kings of the earth;”’ and above all 
He is the one who “loved us, and washed us 
from our sins in His own blood.” He, who on 
earth was the despised and rejected of men, was 
in truth the Prince of the kings of the earth. 
Again and again this same Christ had, by His 
providences, caused men to acknowledge the fact 


THE AUTHOR OF THE REVELATION. 


that “the Most High ruleth in the kingdom of 
men.” No ruler on earth reigns independent of 
the Lord of heaven; for all power belongs 
unto God, and “the powers that be, are ordained 
of God.’’ For this reason men are exhorted to 
pray for governors and kings, that there may be 
peace in the land. 

Here is the position to which He calls us. 
He “hath made us kings,” to sit on thrones and 


tule; “and priests” to minister “ unto God and 





Patmos. 


Near View. 


His Father.” And yet, when on earth, He had 
said, “‘ He that is greatest among you, let him 
be . . . ashe that doth serve.” The joint- 
heirs with Christ rule while still on earth, but their 
authority here is by virtue of the “power of an 
endless life,’ and they are leaders, not in a phys- 
ical sense, but in the spiritual realm. The 
scepter that they sway is not carnal and tem- 
poral, but eternal. The position is above earthly 
potentates, and the wonderful part of it all is, 
that, in the world, which is in the hands of the 
prince of evil, Christ has a nation of kings and 
priests,—a kingdom withina kingdom. “This 
3 


33 


Dan. 4:17. 


Psa. 44°5-8. 
Psa. 33 :6, 7. 
Psa. 75 : 5-7- 
1 Sam. 2:10. 


x1 Sam. 14:6, 
Jer. 46 : 16-20, 
Rom. 13:1. 


And hath made us kings and 
priests unto God and his Father; 
to him be glory and dominion for 
ever and ever. Amen. Rev. 1:6. 


I John, who also am your brother 
and companion in tribulation and 
in the kingdom and patience of Je- 
sus Christ, was in the isle that is 
called Patmos, for the word of God, 
and for the testimony of Jesus 
Christ. Rev. 1:9. 


Behold, he cometh with clouds; 
and every eye shall see him, and 
they also which pierced him: and 
all kindreds of the earth shall wail 
because of him. Even so, Amen. 


lam Alpha and Omega, the be- 
ginning and the ending, saith the 
Lord, which is, and which was, 
and which is to come, the Al- 
mighty. Rev. 1:7,8, 


34 STORY OF THE SEER OF PATMOS. 


2 Cor. 10:4. 
Heb. 7 : 16, 
Col, 1:12, 13. 


Eph. 5:32. 
Jude 25. 


But the day of the Lord will 
come as a thief in the night ; in the 
which the heavens shall pass away 
with a great noise, and the elements 
shall melt with fervent heat, the 
earth also and the works that are 
therein shall be burned up, 

2 Pet. 3:10, 


He came out, and went, as he 
was wont, to the mount of 
Olives; and his disciples also 
followed him. Mark 14:39. 


They came to a place which 
was named Gethsemane: and he 
saith to his disciples, Sit ye 
here, while I shall pray. 

Luke 22 :32, 


Luke 22 : 47, 48. 
John 19:34. 


Luke 23 : 27, 28. 
Rev. 1:8, 11, 17, 18. 


And hallow my sabbaths; and 
they shall be a sign between me and 
you, that ye may know that I am 
the Lord your God. 

Eze, 20: 20, 


is a great mystery : but I speak concerning Christ 
and the church.” 

The eye of the prophet swept over the com- 
pany and as he saw the power of the gospel, in 
ecstasy he exclaimed, “To Him be glory and 
dominion forever and ever.” He saw, in one 
glance, the closing of earth’s history, the coming 
of the Son of man with power and great glory. 
He saw, again, that angry crowd who gathered 
in the Garden of Gethsemane, and rudely bore 








arden of Gethsemane. 


away his Master; he saw the jeering company 
about the cross, and the soldier who pierced His 
side; but as he watches this time, he hears the 
bitter wail of those who rejected the Saviour of 
mankind. And, as he looked, he heard the words: 
“Tam Alpha, the beginning, and Omega, the end- 
ing, ‘the Lord, which is, and which was, and 
which is to come, the Almighty.’”’ This expres- 
sion, or its equivalent, occurs four times in this 
first chapter. 

The Sabbath was a precious day to John, and 
it had been especially dear since that never to be 
forgotten Sabbath on which their Master rested 


THE AUTHOR OF THE REVELATION. 


in the tomb. The preparation for that Sabbath 
was the bitter hours on Calvary; the day itself 
was one of utter loneliness; because the gospel 
of the resurrection was not comprehended. It 
should have been a day of joy; it was intended 
as such; and after the Saviour came from the 
grave, and the light of His countenance again 
rested upon His followers, they saw more clearly 
than ever before that the Sabbath was not only 
a reminder of Creation, but that it also commem- 
orated Redemption. It became the central truth 
in giving the life of Christ. To Johnon Patmos 
it was a day of holy joy. The Saviour came 
divinely near, and as John contemplated scenes 
in his own association with Christ, the Man of 
God, his heart warmed with praise. In imagina- 
tion he stood by Jordan, and saw the baptism of 
the Holy Spirit: again he was on the Mount of 
Transfiguration ; he saw the pained face of the 
Master as they sat around the table on that last 
night ; an agony of feeling passed over him as he 
recalled the trial, the condemnation, and the 
death; but it was replaced by the joy of the 
resurrection, and the remembrance of those last 
words as the clouds caught Him from the sight 
of men. John’s love for Christ was so strong 
that it seemed his Master must surely speak to 
him again. And he heard behind him a great 
voice as of a trumpet, and Christ, his own Christ, 
stood by his side. “I am the first, but I am 
also the last. ‘Iam Alphaand Omega.’ Write 
what thou seest in a book and send it unto the 
seven churches which are in Asia.” 

He spoke in trumpet tones, like the clearest 
music, and the voice was as the sound of many 
waters ; but still, to John He was the same Jesus 


35 


Luke 23 : 54-56. 
Isa. 58 3 13. 


4 John, who also am your 
brother, and companion in tribula- 
tion, and in the kingdom and pa- 
tience of Jesus Christ, was inthe 
isle that is called Patmos, for the 
word of God, and for the testi- 
mony of Jesus Christ. 

/ was in the Spirit on the Lord's 
day, and heard behind me a great 
voice, as of a trumpet, 

Saying, / am Alpha and Omega, 
the first and the last : and, What 
thou seest, write in a book, and 
send it unto the seven churches 
which are in Asia; unto Ephesus, 
and unto Smyrna, and unto Perga- 
mos, and unto Thyatira, and unto 
Sardis, and unto Philadelphia, and 
unto Laodicea. Rev. 1: 9-11. 


Col. 1:14-76. 

John 13 221-25. 

Luke 3 :21, 22. 

Matt. 17 1-3. 

Ye shall receive power, after that 
the Holy Ghost is come upon you : 
and ye shall be witnesses unto me 
both in Jerusalem, and in all Ju- 
dea, and in Samaria, and unto the 
uttermost part of the earth. 


Acts 138-11. 
O my dove, that art in the clefts 
of the rock, in the secret places of 
the stairs, let me see thy counte- 
nance, let me hear thy voice ; for 
sweet is thy voice, and thy counte- 
nance is comely. 
Sol. Song 2:14. 


36 STORY 


And | turned to see the voice 
that spake with me. And being 
turned, / saw seven golden candle- 
sticks; 

And in the midst of the seven 
candlesticks one like unto the Son 
of man, clothed with a garment 
down to the foot, and girt about 
the paps with a golden girdle. 

His head and his hairs were 
white like wool, as white as snow; 
and his eyes were asa flame of 
fire. Rev. 1:12-74, 





**The hoary head is a crown 
of glory, if it be found in the 
way of righteousness.’’ 


Proy. 19:31. 

Dan. 7:9 

And his feet like unto fine brass, 
as if they burned in a furnace; 
and his voice as the sound of 
many waters. : 

And he had in his right hand 
seven stars : and out of his mouth 
went a sharp twoedged sword: 
and his countenance was as the 
sun shineth in his strength. 

Rev. 1:16, 16. 


Eze. 1:7. 

Matt. 17:2. 

Acts 26 : 13-15. 

x Pet. 1:7. 

Lord, lift thou up the light of thy 
countenance upon us. 

Psa. 4:6, 
Psa. $9 215. 
Luke 9 : 29. 


The light of the eyes rejoiceth 
the heart. Prov. 15 330. 


The light of the body is the eye, 
Matt. 6:22, 


OF THE SEER OF PATMOS. 


whom he had known in Galilee and in Jerusalem. 
Not now despised, mocked, and rejected, but 
standing in the midst of the seven candlesticks, 
—the churches, their light being the reflection 
of His own. He was clothed, not in the cast-off 
purple robe, but in a garment of righteousness 
of dazzling whiteness, and girt about the loins 
with the golden girdle of truth. The purity of 
God Himself encircled His brow with a halo 
of light, for His head and His hairs were white 
like wool, as white as snow. The white hairs, 
which in old age are a crown of glory, even in 
the presence of sin and decay, are a token of 
salvation through a Saviour’s love. The power 
of the life within shone through His eyes as a 
flame of fire, and the character is still further 
portrayed in the fact that His feet glowed like 
unto the most brilliant metal purified seven 
times. His footsteps were attended by light and 
heat, and His countenance shone above the 
brightness of the sun. The shining of our sun 
is a figure of the light of God shining in the face 
of Jesus Christ. In human beings, the light of 
the eye betrays the inner life, and a man’s 
“countenance doth witness against him.” Thus 
in every detail of John’s description is revealed 
the depth of spirituality, the power of the God 
of life. 

Although this is a description of the persoral 
appearance of Christ, it portrays His character 
as well. Those who continue to reveal God in 
the earth must, through the merits of Christ, 
manifest the same character as living epistles 
known and read of all men. The robe of His 
righteousness must cover the human frailties and 
imperfections; the truth of God must be the 


THE AUTHOR OF THE REVELATION. 37 


rule of life; cleansed by the blood of Christ, the 
sinner becomes as white as snow. As He was 
_made perfect through suffering, so the church 
will be purified by the fires of affliction; they 
will be brethren with John; “companions in 
tribulation, and in the kingdom and patience of 
Jesus Christ.” 

He who spoke to John was the One who com- 
manded, and worlds stood forth in space. Christ 





Isa. 3:9. 

As ye have therefore received 
Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye 
in him, Col, 2:6. 

2 Cor. 5:20. 

tibet. 2206 

2iCorn aay 20 

Isa. 6 10. 

Rev. 19:8. 

Jas. 2:12. 

1 John 1:7. 

Isa, 1:18, 19. 

Heb. 10:35. 

Rev. 1:9. 


Jesus laid His right hand upon him. 


now stood beside John, and the prophet, looking 
upon His glory, fell at His feet as one dead. 
He had walked with Him and talked with 
Him,—with this same man, Christ Jesus, —when 
He was on earth. He had asked to sit by His 
side in His kingdom. The glory of His pres- 
ence now overcame John, but Jesus laid His 
right hand on him,—that hand which had so 


Prov. 16:31. 

Psa. 33 : 6-9. 

When I saw him | fell at his feet 
as dead. And he laid his right 
hand upon me, saying unto me, 
Fear not ; |!am the first and the 
last : 

! am he that liveth, and was 
dead : and, behold, | am alive for 
ever more, Amen: and have the 
keys of hell and of death. 

: Rev. 1: 17. 18. 


38 STORY 


Write the things which thou 
hast seen, and the things which 
are, and the things which shall be 
hereafter : 

The mystery of the seven stars 
which thou sawest in my right 
hand, and the scven golden can- 
dlesticks. The seven stars are the 
angels of the seven churches: and 
the seven candlesticks which thou 
sawest are the seven churches. 

Rev. 1: 19,20. 


Mal. 2:7. 


The Lord thy God in the midst of 
thee is mighty; he will save, he 
will rejoice over thee with joy; he 
will rest in his love, he will joy 
over thee with singing. 

Zeph. 3:17. 


Heb. 2:12. 
Zech, 2:5. 


And it shall come to pass in the 
last days, saith God, I will pour 
out of my Spirit upon all flesh: 
and your sons and your daughters 
shall prophesy, and your young 
men shall see visions, and your old 
men shall dream dreams. 

Acts 2:17. 


Luke 15:10, 
Luke 2 : 7-14. 
Matt. 4:11. 
Luke 22 : 43. 


Now therefore ye are no more 
strangers and foreigners, but fellow- 
citizens with the saints, and of the 
household of God; 

And are built upon the founda- 
tion of the apostles and prophets, 
Jesus Christ himself being the 
chief corner stone. 

Eph. 2: 19-21, 


Col. x :28, 29. 
2 Cor. 3/53, 1s, 16, 
Rev. 133. 


OF THE SEER OF PATMOS. 


often rested there before, and in a voice which 
John recognized as the same with which the 
Master spoke to the stormy waves of Galilee, He 
said, “ Be not afraid, ‘I am He that liveth and 
was dead; and, behold, I am alive forever- 
more. You saw me in the grave, but I now 
have the keys of hell and of death.” And so 
the message which John was commanded to 
give unto the churches is a message of triumph 
over sin, over death and the grave. It is the 
victory of truth over error. 

Christ appeared, walking in the midst of the 
candlesticks, which symbolize the churches ; and 
He held in His hand the seven stars or angels, 
which direct the work of the churches, and which 
are light-bearers from His throne to those who 
represent the work of heaven on earth. God 
looks upon the Christian Church as He looked 
upon Christ in the days of His sojourn on earth. 
As He was attended by an angel, so the church 
is guided by the Spirit of God, and by the testi- 
mony of that Spirit. In days of triumph, the 
angel attendants sing the song which filled the 
plains of Bethlehem on the night of the birth of 
Jesus: in days of persecution, trials, and de- 
spondency, angels lift the weary heads, as Ga- 
briel ministered to Christ in the wilderness and 
in Gethsemane. The church completes the work 
begun by Christ in the flesh. His life studied 
will give the history of the church. His life as 
recorded in the Revelation of Jesus Christ is but 
a further unfolding of that same mystery of the 
incarnation,—the Emmanuel. “Blessed is he 
that readeth, and they that hear the words of this 
prophecy, and keep those things which are writ- 
ten therein.” 





CHP RL. 


THE MESSAGE TO THE CHURCHES. 


EPHESUS. 


THE message to the seven churches covers 
a period in ecclesiastical history, extending from 
the time of Christ’s first advent to His second 
coming. To John, Christ appeared walking in 
the midst of the churches,—the candlesticks ; 
and it is a most beautiful truth that the Divine 
Presence has never been withdrawn from the 
earth. One of the last promises made by Christ 
to His disciples was, ‘Lo, I am with you alway, 
even unto the end of the world,” and it matters 
not how torn or scattered His people may have 
been, that promise, reverberating from age to 
age, has been the comfort and solace of each in- 
dividual Christian, and of the church as a body. 
Heaven looks upon the earth as one vast mission 
field, and the church isa beacon light in the 
midst of darkness. 
drew the sympathies of all the universe earth- 
ward, and “the whole creation groaneth,” waiting 
for our adoption. Christ, attended by the host 
of heaven—His ministering spirits—is always 


The incarnation of Christ 


He which testifieth these things 


saith, Surely I come quickly. 
Amen, Rev. 22:20, 
Rev, 1:19. 


Rey. 1:13; Ruth 4:4. 


For he hath said, I will never 
leave thee, nor forsake thee. 
Heb. 13:5. 


But when the Comforter is come, 
whom I will send unto you from 
the Father, even the Spirit of truth, 
which proceedeth from the Father, 
he shall testify of me. 

John rs :26. 

Matt. 28 : 20. 

I will heal their backsliding, I 
will love them freely: for mine 
anger is turned away from him, 

Hosea 1; 4. 

Fear thou not; for I am with 
thee: be not dismayed; for I am 
thy God: I will strengthen thee ; 


“yea, I will help thee ; yea, I will 


uphold thee with the right hand of 
my righteousness, Isa, 41 } 10. 

Matt. 5 : 13-17. 

Suddenly there was with the an- 
gel a multitude of the heavenly 
host praising God, 

Luke 2:13. 


39 


40 


Rom. 8: 22. 

I was daily his delight, rejoicing 
always before him ; 

Rejoicing in the habitable part of 
his earth; and my delights were 
with the sons of men. 

Prov. 8 :29-31. 


Zech, 2:8. 
Psa. 17:8. 
Deut. 32: 10, 
Rev. 2:1 


The church is a beacon light 
in the midst of darkness. 
Page 39. 


Be not deceived: evil communi- 
cations corrupt good manners, 
1 Cor, 15 :33- 


Behold, I send you forth as 
shecp in the midst of wolves: be ye 
therefore wise as serpents, and 
harmless as doves. 

Matt. 10: 16, 


x Tim, 1:1-7. 


Avoiding profane and vain bab- 
blings, and oppositions of science 
falsely so called: 

Which some professing have 
erred concerning the faith, 

1 Tim, 6:20, 21. 





STORY OF THE SEER OF PATMOS. 


found in the midst of the church, and he that 
toucheth the church, toucheth the apple of the 
eye of Christ. 

The first message which John was bidden to 
deliver was to the church of Ephesus. There 
were other churches in Asia Minor, but there 
were reasons why Ephesus was first addressed, 
and why it should be taken to represent the 
church in general during the first years of 
its existence. The word “ Ephesus” means 
“first,” or “ desirable.” In the first cen- 
tury, Ephesus was the capital of Asia Minor, 
and the center of trade from both the east 
and the west. It was strongly under Greek 
_ influence, and in position, corresponded to 
Corinth in Greece, and Alexandria in 
Egypt. It has been called the “railying 
place of paganism,” and was a stronghold 
of the recognized religion and the popular 
education of the world, when, soon after 
the death of the Saviour, it was first visited 
by the apostles. It may well be taken to 
symbolize that period of ecclesiastical history 
when the Gospel in its purity met, in open 
conflict, the darkest forms of pagan worship. 
Side by side with the Greeks, dwelt Jews, 
men who ought to have held aloft the worship 
of Jehovah, but who had lost the Spirit by 
mingling with the idol worshipers, It was 
into this city, restless and turbulent and easily 
wrought upon, that Paul, as a missionary, went 
to preach of a risen Saviour. He met with 
difficulties. Opposed on one side by science, 
falsely so called, and on the_other side by a re- 
ligion which had the form of godliness, but 
which had lost the power thereof, Paul offered 


THE MESSAGE TO THE CHURCHES. 


the crucified Son of God. Miracles attended 
his preaching. In the synagogue of the Jews, 
he reasoned three months concerning “ the king- 
dom of God;” and when men hardened their 
hearts against the Word, he entered the school 
of Tyrannus, where he taught for two years with 
such power that the Word of the Lord Jesus 
went abroad throughout all Asia, among both 
Jews and Greeks. The Greeks were scholars, 


and exalted the power of intellectual culture. 


AI 


God wrought special miracles by 
the hands of Paul, Acts 19:11. 


He went into the synagogue, and 
spake boldly for the space of three 
months, disputing and persuading 
the things: concerning the kingdom 
of God. 

But when divers were hardened, 
and believed not, but spake evil of 
that way before the multitude, he 
departed from them, and ‘separated 
the disciples, disputing daily in the 
school of one Tyrannus. 

And this continued by the space 
of two years ; so that all they which 





Ephesus. Present State. 


Paul, asa Christian missionary, first taught in 
the synagogue, them in the schools, where the 
Gospel of Jesus Christ was offered in place of 
the philosophy of Plato, whom the Greeks deified. 
Said he, “The Jews require a sign, and the 
Greeks seek after wisdom: but we preach 
Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumbling- 
block, and unto the Greeks foolishness ; but un- 
to them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, 
Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.” 
So powerful was this teaching of the apostle 
that many who owned books of sorcery, or magic, 
which passed for wisdom in the eyes of the 


dwelt in Asia heard the word of the 
Lord Jesus, both Jews and Greeks. 
Acts 19 : 8-10. 
For all the Athenians, and 
strangers which were there, spent 
their time in nothing else, but either 
to tell or to hear some new thing. 
Acts 17 : 16-21. 
2 Cor. 10:5. 


Many that believed came, and 
confessed, and shewed their deeds. 

Many of them also which used 
curious arts brought their books 
together, and burned them beiore 
all men: and they counted the 
price of them, and found it fifty 
thousand pieces of silver. 

So mightily grew the word of God 


and prevailed. 
Acts 19 : 18-20, 


42 


Acts 18: 4-6. _ 


For acertain man named Deme-— 


trius, a silversmith, which made sil- 
ver shrines for Diana, brought no 
small gain unto the craftsmen ; 

Whom he called together with 
the workmen of like occupation, 
and said, Sirs, ye know that by this 
craft we have our wealth. 

Moreover ye see and hear, that 
not alone at Ephesus, but almost 
throughout all Asia, this Paul hath 
persuaded and turned away much 
people, saying that they be no gods, 
which are made with hands : 

So that not only this our craft is 
in danger to be set at nought ; but 
also that the temple of the great 
goddess Diana should be despised, 
and her magnificence should be de- 
stroyed, whom all Asia and the 
world worshippeth. 

And when they heard these say- 
ings, they were full of wrath, and 
cried out, saying, Great is Diana of 
the Ephesians. Acts 19: 24-28. 


Dan. 2 : 10-19. 


Unto the angel of the church of 
Ephesus write; These things saith 
he that holdeth the seven stars in 
his right hand, who walketh in the 
midst of the seven golden candle- 
sticks ; 

] know thy works, and thy labour, 
and thy patience, and how thou 
canst not bear them which are evil : 
and thou hast tried them which say 
they are apostles, and are not, and 
hast found them liars, 

: Rev. 2:1, 2. 


And hast borne, and hast pa- 
tience, and for my name's suke 
hast laboured, and hast not fainted. 

Rev, 2:3, 

Acts 5:41, 42. 

Acts 8:4. 

Acts 11:24, 25. 

Acts 13 52-5. 

Elymas the sorcerer (for so is his 
name by interpretation) withstood 
them, seeking to turn away the 
deputy from the faith. 

Then Saul, (who also is called 
Paul,) filled with the Holy Ghost, 
set his eyes on him, 

And said, O full of ali subtilty 


STORY OF THE SEER OF PATMOS: 


world, brought their books and burned them 
before all men. Students from this school of 
Tyrannus became earnest workers in Asia Minor, 
and through them the Gospel was made known. 
Not only was the learning of the Greeks, who 
were the intellectual lights of the world, opposed 
by Paul and his disciples, but the trades were 
affected ; so much so that there was an uprising 
of the people, who with one voice cried, “ Great 
is Diana of the Ephesians.’’ Diana, the patron 
goddess of Ephesus, was a personification of 
fecundity. In this city, Christianity—the power 
of God unto salvation—came in open and bitter 
conflict with the false religion and the false edu- 
cation of the world. 

He who walked among the churches, watched 
the lighting of the torch of truth in Ephesus, 
and so the first words addressed to the church 
are, “I know thy works, and thy labor, and thy 
patience.” Those, who, on the day of Pente- 
cost, received the baptism of the Spirit, and those 
who heard the Gospel from their lips, were filled 
with a burning desire to spread the news of a 
Saviour. They were married unto Christ, and 
in the ardor of their first love, the converts 
sought for their friends and relatives, pleading 
with them to forsake evil and to accept salva- 
tion. There was no work too arduous, no jour- 
ney too difficult, to be undertaken for Him whom 
they loved. 

It can be seen that the power of God and the 
power of evil were in each other’s grasp. By 
the side of pagan temples, were erected Chris- 
tian churches; Christian schools sprang up in 
the very shadow of the Greek institutions of 


learning. In spite of the power of the enemy, 


THE MESSAGE TO THE CHURCHES. 


the spread of truth was rapid, so rapid, indeed, 
‘that paganism trembled for its life. Among the 
converts to the new doctrine, were some who 
were convinced of the truth, but who failed to 
experience the change of heart which comes with 
the new birth. There were others, who, for 
policy’s sake, sought fellowship with the Chris- 
tians; but as long as the church maintained a 
close connection with God, a clear and distinct 
line separated believers from impostors. ‘Thou 
hast tried them which 
say they are apostles, 
and are not, and hast 
found them liars.” 

The power which at- 
tended even the com- 
mon converts, and 
their ready spirit of 
discernment, is seen 












By the side of pa= 
gan temples were 
erected Christian 


churches. 


in the case of Priscilla and Aquila, when 
Apollos, who received the Gospel, or at least a 
part of it, in Alexandria, came to Ephesus. 
Apollos was fervent in the Spirit, and taught 
with power; for he was an eloquent man, and 
mighty in the Scriptures; but he knew only of 
the baptism of John. When he preached in the 


43 


and all mischief, thou child of the 
devil, thou enemy of all rightcous« 
ness, wilt thou not cease to pervert 
the right ways of the Lord? 

And now, behold, the hand of 
the Lord is upon thee, and thou 
shalt be blind, not seeing the sun 
for a season. And immediately 
there fell on him a mist and a dark- 
ness; and he went about seeking 
some to lead him by the hand. 

Acts 13 : 8-11, 


Acts 16: 16-18. 
Acts 8 : 18-24. 
2 Tim. 1:15. 


This witness is true. Wherefore 
rebuke them sharply, that they may 
be sound in the faith ; 

Not giving heed to Jewish fables, 
and commandments of men, that 
turn front'the truth. 

Titus 1 13-16, 

x Tim, 1:20. 

2 Tim. 2:17, 18. 

Rev. 2:2. 


A certain Jew named Apollos, 
born at Alexandria, an eloquent 
man, and mighty in the Scriptures, 
came to Ephesus, 

This man was instructed in the 
way of the Lord ; and being fer- 
vent in the spirit, he spake and 
taught diligentiy the things of the 
Lord, knowing only the baptism 
of John, 

And he began to speak boldly in 
the synagogue ; whom when Aquila 
and Priscilla had heard, they took 
him unto them, and expounded 
unto him the way of God more 
perfectly. Acts 18 : 24-26, 


Blessed is the man that heareth 
me, watching daily at my gates, 
waiting at the posts of my doors, 

Prov. 8:34, 35. 


He said to them all, If any man 
will come after me, let him deny 
himself, and take up his cross daily, 
and follow me. Luke 9 :23. 


If any man walk in the day, he 
stumbleth not, because he seeth the 
light of this world. 

But ifa man walk in the night, 
he stumbleth, because there is no 
light in him, John 11:9, 10, 


44 STORY OF THE SEER OF PATMOS, 


- The remnant of Jacob shall be hearing of those with 


among the Gentiles in the midst of a 
many people, as a lion among the whom Paul abode in 


beasts of the forest, asa younglion (Corinth, and who 
among the flocks of sheep: who, if . 


he go through, both treadeth down, had studied with the 
and teareth in pieces, and none can 


deliver. Micah 5 8. great A pos tle ? 
Aquila and Priscilla 


detected his ignorance of 
the outpouring of the Spirit, 






Matt. 28 * 19, 20, and the eloquent man re- 
Mark 16 : 15-18, _ FE 
Rev. 6:2. ceived instruction from those 


Acts 19 1-7, 9) 50. who had recently come into 


the truth. One can, in im- 
agination, picture the sacri- 
fice which seems necessary 


Those that be planted in the ON the part of those who ac- Christianity walked asa 


house of the Lord shall flourish in cepted Christ in this central] svetless virgin clothed 
the courts of our God. in white. 


Psa.g2:33. Stronghold of paganism. 
Light and darkness met face to face, and pagan- 
ism made a desperate struggle for existence. 
It is for these reasons, that the first message, 
addressed to Ephesus, is applicable to the 
first era of the Christian religion. Into the 

For a day in thy courts isbetter_ qarkness of the worst forms of heathenism, the 


thana thousand. I hadrather bea 


doorkeeper in the house of my God, religion and culture of the Greeks, backed by the 
than to dwell in the tents of wick- 


Gal. 2:9. 


Acts 19:10. 


ee, Psa.8y:10, government of Rome,—Christianity walked as a 
, spotless virgin clothed in white. By preaching 
Rev. 2:2, and by teaching, two methods which are divinely 
ordained for the spread of the truth, Paul and 

5 gr his fellow laborers raised up a church at Ephesus. 


_ John had known of the work at this place; 
for he, as a pillar in the Jerusalem church, was 
acquainted with the progress of the light as it 
spread from that center, and from Patmos his 
Iam the Lord: thatis myname: heart turned to the believers on the mainland. 

and my glory will I not give toan- ‘The angel said, ‘Unto the church of Ephesus 


other, neither my praise to graven 


images. Isa. 42:8. Write: ‘I know thy works, and thy labor, and 


Rom, 5 : 3-5. 


: 


THE MESSAGE TO THE CHURCHES. As 


thy patience, and how thou canst not bear them wherefore come out from among 
which are evil: and thou hast tried them which °™ 2nd be ye separate, saith the 
Lord, and touch not the unclean 


say they are apostles, and are not, and hast thing; and I will receive you, 
: . 2 Cor, 6217. 
found them liars.’” The message is sent by the 5 


One who in heaven “holdeth the seven stars in 
His right hand, who walketh in the midst of the 
seven golden candlesticks.” God Himself had = Actss::s. 
watched each soul as it had separated from the 

world and linked itself with Christ. The power ““"*4** 
of Christ Himself attended the spread of the 
Gospel in those early days; for it was carried 


Acts 2 21-4. 


Acts 19 26, 


Ex, 20 24-6. 


The Lord spake unto you out of 
the midst of the fire: ye heard the 
voice of the words, but ye saw no 
similitude ; only ye heard a voice. 

Deut. 4:12. 


God is a Spirit: and they that 
worship him must worship him in 
spirit and in truth. John 4:24. 





4 There were no idols, no 
| outward forms, only a 
~* | spiritual worship. 






For we can do nothing against 


by men who had received of the Pentecostal ine truth, but for the truth, 
showers. 2 2 Cor, 13 38. 

Christianity was a strange power as viewed by 
the heathen, for there were no idols, no outward 
forms, only a spiritual worship which they could 
not comprehend. The kingdom of Christ was 
Invading the realm of the enemy, and there were — Col. « #6, 23. 
no weapons which could attack it. In the space 

> The rich and poor meet together : 

of thirty years, the Gospel went to every Crea- tne Lordis the maker of them all. 
ture under heaven. Rich and poor alike heard Pre Wenee ee 
the glad tidings of the Desire of all Nations, Luke s:1., 


Rom. 1:5; 3. 


Rom. 16 :19. 


46 STORY 


So that my bonds in Christ are 
manifest in all Czsar’s court, and in 
all other places. 

Phil. 1:13 [margin.] 

Phil. 4 : 22. 


Blessed is the man that endureth 
temptation : for when he is tried, 
he shall receive the crown of life, 
which the Lord hath promised to 
them that love him. 

Jas. cies 


Love is strong as death. 
Sol. Songs 8:6. 


The Lord thy God in the midst 
of thee is mighty ; he will save, he 
will rejoice over thee with joy; he 
will rest in his love, he will joy 
over thee with singing. 

Zeph, 3:17. 


Howbeit certain men clave unto 
him, and believed + among the 
which was Dionysius the Areopa- 


gite, and a woman named Damaris, ” 


and others with them. 
Acts 17 334. 


Canst thou by searching find out 
God? canst thou find out the Al- 
mighty unto perfection? 

It is as high as heaven; what 
canst thou do? deeper than hell; 
what canst thou know ? 

Job. 11:7-9. 


Nevertheless | have somewhat 
against thee, because thou hast 
left thy first love. 

Remember therefore from whence 
thou art fallen, and repent, and do 
the first works; or else | will come 
unto thee quickly, and will remove 
thy candlestick out of his place, 
except thou repent. 

But this thou hast. that thou 
hatest the deeds of the Nicolai- 
tanes, which | also hate. 

Rev, 2: 4-6, 


OF THE SEER OF PATMOS. 


who had been born in Judea. Czesar ruled with 
unlimited power at Rome. No hand was raised 
against the throne; and yet Christianity crept 
within those palace walls, and Paul preached to 
some of Nero’s household. This growth is rec- 
ognized in the message. Thou “hast borne, 
and hast patience, and for My name’s sake hast 
labored, and hast not fainted.” This was the 
experience of the first century of the Christian 
religion. The power by which it grew was that 
of love,—the first love, which in its ardor knew 
no bounds. It was the love of which Paul writes 
when he says that “ Love is the fulfilling of the 
law.” Christ watched over the believers with 
the joy of a bridegroom, and they in return gave 
Him their heart’s devotion. 

There were many among the pagans who lis- 
tening to Paul, were convinced of the truth 
in their minds, but retained their Greek man- 
ner of reasoning. Indeed, they applied to the 
Scriptures the same interpretation which they 
had formerly placed upon their own Greek 
writings. These converted Greek philosophers 
stood side by side with the simple Gospel teach- 
ers, and in trying to refute paganism by argu- 
ment, Christianity was in danger of weakening. 
The shadow of the enemy was falling upon the 
church God called after these first believers, 
“Remember therefore from whence thou art 
fallen, and repent, and do the first works ; or else 
I will:come unto thee quickly, and will remove 
thy candlestick out of his place.” 

The Nicolaitanes, referred to in verse six, are 
said by Mosheim to have been a branch of the 
Gnostics, a sect living in Asia, who denied the 
divinity of Christ, and “boasted of their being 


THE MESSAGE TO THE CHURCHES. 


able to restore to mankind the knowledge of the 
true and Supreme Being.” Their belief concern- 
ing the creation of the world, conflicted with the 
writings of Moses, and led to a denial of the 
divine authority of the Old Testament. Still 
other beliefs, contrary to the teachings of Christ, 
the result of a mixture of Greek and Oriental 
philosophy, led to practices which the church of 
Christ could not tolerate. He does not say they 
hated the presence of the Nicolaitanes, and 
could not endure them; but that they hated 
their deeds, “which Ialso hate.” This church f 
was in a position where they could hate the 
sin, and not the sinner, where they could have 
patience, and labor long for the erring, and 
love them; while they hated the deeds that 
separated them from the Lord. The Lord 
closes with a message to every one: “He 
that hath an ear let him hear.” The message 
comes to all ages in all time, to every one who 
receives the gift of hearing. It is the Spirit 
of God speaking to the church. “To him 
that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree 
of life, which is in the midst of the paradise 
of God.” Adam was overcome by Satan, 
and thus lost his right to the tree of life; but 
to every son of Adam the message comes, 
“T give to eat of the tree of life.” It is the 
privilege of every child of God to claim the vic- 
tory, and to overcome every attack of the enemy 
through the strength given by Christ. To the 
tree of life, the faithful are promised access, in 
contradistinction to the fruit of the tree of 
knowledge of good and evil. The tree of life was 
transplanted from the garden of Eden to heaven, 
but its boughs hang over the wall for all who will 


comes to every 


47 


Through faith we understand that 
the worlds were framed by the word’ 
of God, so that things which are 
seen were not made of things which 
do appear. Heb. 11 33. 

For had ye believed Moses, ye 
would have believed me: for he 
wrote of me. 

But if ye believe not his writings, 
how shall ye believe my words? 

John 5:46, 47. 


Who concerning the truth have 
erred, saying that the resurrection is 
past already; and overthrow the 
faith of some. 


2 Tim. 2:18. 






one who receives & 
the gift of hearing. — 


God commendeth his love to 
ward us, in that, while we were yet 
sinners, Christ died for us. 

Rom, 5:3. 


2 Cor. 2: 5-11. 


Acts 28 : 18-23. 


He that hath an ear, let him 
hear what the Spirit saith unto 
the churches; To him that over- 
cometh will | give to eat of the 
tree of life, whichis in the midst 
of the paradise of God. 

/ Reo. 2:7. 


48 STORY 


Behold, I have refined thee, but 
not with silver ; I have chosen thee 
in the furnace of affliction, 

For mine own sake, even for 
mine own sake, will I do it: for 
how should my name be polluted? 
and I willnot give my glory unto 
another. Isa. 48: 10, 11. 


Rev, 2:10, 


OF THE SEER OF PATMOS. 


reach upward for its fruit. As the experience 
of the church is applicable to each denomination, 
to each organization, and to each individual, so 
to the end of time, Christians will be placed in 
positions where they must choose between the 
wisdom of God, and the philosophy of the 
world,—the wisdom which is pure, peaceable, 
gentle, full of mercy and good fruits; and the 
philosophy which, if adhered to, brings loss of 
light, and eventually death. 





Having food and raiment let us 
be therewith content. 

But they that will be rich fall 
into temptation and a snare, and 
into many foolish and hurtful lusts, 
which drown men in destruction 
and perdition, 


Smyrna. Present State. 


SMYRNA. 

Smyrna, the second church addressed, was 
only about fifty miles from Ephesus, and doubt- 
less knew of the conditions atthe central church 
of Asia Minor; but as it was not a great trade 
center, many of the perplexitics with which Eph- 


THE MESSAGE TO THE CHURCHES. 


esus had to contend were not present in Smyrna. 
Its members were poor, but still they worked 
earnestly for others. The wealth of Ephesus 
was one of the greatest drawbacks to the spirit- 
uality of that church; but Smyrna, though poor 
in worldly goods, was rich in the eyes of the 
Lord. Through false teachers, claiming to be 
the children of God, persecution came to those 
who wished to follow the teachings of Christ. 
The true Jew is an heir by faith of the inherit- 
ance promised to Abraham, but many pride 
themselves on the inheritance of the ficsh. 
Such belong to the synagogue of Satan; 
for righteousness by works is the devil’s coun- 
terfeit of the Lerd’s plan of salvation through 
faith alone in the merits of the Son of God. 
The words written by Paul in his letter to the 
Galatians, who had this same false teaching to 
meet, makes clear the difference between those 
who are children of promise and those who are 
Jews in name only. Paul illustrates the truth by 
repeating the life experience of Abraham. Ish- 
mael, the son of Hagar, the Egyptian bondwo- 
man, represents in allegory, those who hope to 
obtain righteousness by their own efforts. Such 
are the Jews against whom the church at 
Smyrma was warned. Isaac, the son of Sarah 
and Abraham, was the child of promise, and rep- 
resents those who accept Christ by faith. “But 
as then he that was born after the flesh perse- 
cuted him that was born after the Spirit, even 
so itis now.” So to the Smyrna church God 
said, “ Fear none of those things which thou 
shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of 
you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye 
shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful 


49 


For the love of money is the root 
of all evil: which while some cov- 
eted after, they have erred from the 
faith, and pierced themselves 
through with many sorrows. 

But thou, O man of God, flee 
these things ; and follow after right- 
eousness, godliness, faith, love, pa- 
tience, meekness. 

x Tim. 6 : 8-11. 


Ye shall be betrayed both by 
parents, and brethren, and kins- 
folks, and friends ; and some of you 
shall they cause to be put to death. 

And ye shall be hated of all men 
for my name’s sake. 

Luke 21 : 12-17. - 


Titus 1: 9-11. 


For he is not a Jew, which is one 
outwardly ; neither is that circum- 
cision, which is outward in the 
flesh : 

But he is a Jew, which ‘s one in- 
wardly ; and circumcision is that 
of the heart, in the spirit, and not 
in the letter ; whose praise is not of 
men, but of God. 

Rom. 2 : 28, 29. 


Rom, 9:31. 
Rom. 4 :3-7. 


Wilt thou know, O vain man, 
that faith without works is dead ? 

Was not Abraham our father justi- 
fied by works, when he had offered 
Isaac his son upon the altar? 

Seest thou how faith wrought 
with his works, and by works was 
faith made perfect? 

Jas. 2 214-26. 


Gal. 3 : S10, 26-29. 
Gal. 4 22-31. 


We are all as an unclean thing, 
and all our righteousnesses are as 
filthy rags. Isa. 64:6. 


Rom. 3 :23. 
Gal. 4:29. 


50 STORY 


And unto the angel of the church 
in Smyrna write; These things 
saith the first and the last, which 
was dead, and is alive. 

Rev. 2:8. 


Num, 14:34. 
Eze. 4:6. 
Rev. 1:18 


Beloved, think it not strange con- 
cerning the fiery trial which is to try 
you, as though some strange thing 
happened unto you: 

But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are 
partakers of Christ’s sufferings ; 
that, when his glory shall be re- 
vealed, ye may be glad also with 
exceeding joy. 1 Pet. 4:12, 13. 


1 Pet. 15-9. 


Take heed therefore unto your- 
selves, and to all the flock, over the 
which the Holy Ghost hath made 
you overseers, to feed the church 
of God, which he hath purchased 
with his own blood. 

For I know this, that after my de- 
parting shall grievous wolves enter 
in among you, not sparing the flock. 

Acts 20 :28, 29. 


2 Thess. 2 :2-7. 


1 know thy works, and tribula- 
tion, and poverty, (but thou art 
rich) and / know the blasphemy of 
them which say they are Jews, 
and are not, but are the synagogue 
of Satan. Rev. 2:9, 


Dan. 11:34. 

Zech. 3 :6, 7. 

The law is no more ; her proph- 
ets also find no vision from the 
Lord, Lam. 2:9, 


OF THE SEER OF PATMOS: 


unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.” 
The message was signed by Him “which was 
dead, and is alive.” Christ’s sacrifice of life and 
His victory over death, was pointed to by Gabriel 
as a special lesson and source of encouragement 
to those followers who would be called to pass 
through the fire of persecution. By faith the 
martyrs could see the crown of eternal life held 
out to them by 
the Son of God. 


The message 
came to Smyrna, 
a church in Asia 
Minor, and like- 
wise to the Chris- 
tian church as a 
whole, during the 
second and third 





The devil, 


shall cast centuries. It was 
some of — . 

you into a time when pa- 
na ganism was ma- 


king its final 
stand for supremacy in the world. Christianity 
had spread with wonderful rapidity, until it 
was known throughout the world. Some em- 
braced the faith of Christ because of heart con- 
version, others, because of the might of argu- 
ment brought to bear, and still others, because 
they could see that the cause of paganism was 
waning, and policy led them to the side that 
promised to be victorious. These conditions 
weakened the spirituality of the church. The 
Spirit of Prophecy, which characterized the 
apostolic church, was gradually lost. This is a 
gift which brings the church to which it is en- 
trusted, into the unity of the faith. 


When there - 


THE MESSAGE TO THE CHURCHES. 


were no longer true prophets, false teachings 
spread rapidly ; the philosophy of the Greeks led 
toa false interpretation of the Scriptures, and 
the self-righteousness of the ancient Pharisees, 
so often condemned by Christ, again appeared 
in the midst of thechurch. The foundation was 
laid during the two centuries preceding the reign 
of Constantine for those evils which were fully 
developed during the two centuries following. 
During this period, martyrdom became popular 
in many parts of the Roman Empire. Strange 
as this may seem, it is none the less true. It 
was the result of the relationship existing be- 
tween Christians and pagans. 

In the Roman world the religion of all nations 
was respected, but the Christians were not a 
nation, they were but a sect of a despised race. 
When they therefore persisted in denouncing 
the religion of all classes of men, when they held 
secret meetings, and separated themselves en- 
tirely from the customs and practices of their 
nearest relatives and most intimate friends, they 
became objects of suspicion, and often of perse- 
cution, by the pagan authorities. Often they 
brought persecution upon themselves, when 
there was no spirit of opposition in the minds of 
the rulers. In illustration of this spirit, history 
gives the details of the execution of Cyprian, 
bishop of Carthage. When his sentence was 
read, a general cry arose from the listening mul- 
titude of Christians, who said, ‘‘ We will die with 
him.” : 

The spirit with which many professed Chris- 
tians accepted death, and even needlessly pro- 
voked the enmity of the government, probably 
had much to do with the passage, in 303, A. D., of 


51 


He gave some, apostles; and 
some, prophets ; and some, evan- 
gelists; and some, pastors and 
teachers ; 

For the perfecting of the saints, 
for the work of the ministry, for the 
edifying of the body of Christ. 

Eph. 4: 11-16. 

When Peter was come to Anti- 
och, I withstood him to the face, 
because he was to be blamed. 

For before that certain came from 
James, he did eat with the Gen- 
tiles : but when they were come, he 
withdrew and separated himself, 
fearing them which were of the cir- 
cumcision, Gal. 2:11, 12. 

They that are unlearned and un- 
stable wrest, as they do also the 
other scriptures, unto their own 
destruction. 

Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye 
know these things before, beware 
lest ye also, being led away with 
the error of the wicked, fall from 
your own steadfastness. 

2 Pet. 3:16, 17. 

Titus 1 39-13. 

2 Tim. 2:19, 20. 

Phil, 1: 12-19. 

We desire to hear of thee what 
thou thinkest: for as concerning 
this sect, we know that every where 
itis spokenagainst. Acts 28 ;22, 

Ye men of Athens, I perceive 
that in all things ye are too super- 
stitious. Acts 17 322. 


Be not conformed to this world: 
but be ye transformed by the renew- 
ing of your mind. Rom, 12:2. 

Love not the world, neither the 
things that are in the world. 

x John 2:15. 

As obedient children, not fash- 
ioning yourselves according to the 
former lusts in your ignorance. 

1 Pet. r:314. 


Now the brother shall betray the 
brother to death, and the father the 
son; and children shall rise up 
against their parents, and shall 
cause them to be put to death. 

And ye shall be hated of all men 
for my name’s sake. 

Mark 13 : 12, 13. 

Psa. 31 3 11-13. 


52 STORY 


Heb, 11 35-38. 
Rev. 13:7. 


Fear none of those things which 
thou shalt suffer: behold, the 
devil shall cast some of you into 
prison, that ye may be tried; and 
ye shall have tribulation ten days: 
be thou faithful unto death, and | 
will give thee a crown of life. 

Rev, 2:10. 


Sweet smelling myrrh, 
Sol. Song 5:13. 


OF THE SEER OF PATMOS. 


the edict of persecution, by the emperor Diocle- 
tian, and his assistant, Galerius. The edict was 
universal in its spirit, and was enforced with 
more or less strenuousness for ten years. 

Many Christians suffered death. The sacri- 
fice of_a child of God opens afresh the wound 
made in the Father’s heart when Christ was 
slain. The death of Christ was a sign of sepa- 
ration from sin, on the part of him who accepted 

the sacrifice. Like the smoke from 

the altar of incense in the sanctuary 
service, a life given for the Saviour 
becomes a sweet savor in the sight 
_ ot Jehovah. Smyrna means “ myrrh” 
or “sweet scent.” This name is ap- 
plied to those who willingly offered 
their lives for their faith, The mercy 

of God is shown in this message in a 

most wonderful way; for although 








Like the smoke from the altar of incense. 


Precious shall their blood be in 
his sight. Psa. 72 $14. 


Having received the things which 
were sent from you, an odour of a 
sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable, 
well-pleasing to God. 

Phil. 4:18, 


A bundle of myrrh is my well-be- 
loved unto me. Sol. Song 1: 13+ 
For I bear them record that they 
have a zeal of God, but not accord- 
ing to knowledge. Rom. 10:2. 
Happy is that people, that is in 
such a case. yea, happy is that peo- 
ple, whose God is the Lord. 
Psa, 144 :15. 





some doubtless suffered needlessly, 
and brought persecution upon them- 
selves, yet God does not condemn them 
for pies zeal, This is a message that con- 
tains no reproof, and it would seem that the ten- 
derness of our Father causes Him to lose sight 
of the fact that death was sought; because He 
sees the earnestness in the heart of the one who 
offers his life. It is the same in individual ex- 
perience. The over-zealous ofttimes suffer when 
there is no need of suffering, and yet God reads 
the motive of the heart, and measures out the 
reward in accordance with what He finds there. 
Fellowmen may criticize and condemn, but God 
accepts any sacrifice made in His name; and He 
says to such a follower as He did to King David, 
«Thou didst well that it was in thine heart.” 





THE MESSAGE TO THE CHURCHES. 


«He that hath an ear, let him hear what the 
Spirit saith unto the churches ;” “ He that over- 
cometh shall not be hurt of the second death.” 
The second death is the only death that the peo- 
ple of God need tofear. Satan may bring phys- 
ical death to the faithful followers of Christ, but 
they will be shielded from the second death. 
God’s people will rejoice in life everlasting; 
while the decree of the second death will be 
passed upon Satan and his emissaries. The 


Smyrna church immediately followed the time of 
Christ and His disciples, and was often referred 
to prophetically in their teachings. 


53 


But he shall receive an hundred- 
fold now in this time, with persecu- 
tions; and in the world to come 
eternal life. Mark 10: 28-30. 


2 Chron. 6:8. 


He that hath an ear, let him 
hear what the Spirit saith unto 
the churches; He that overcometh 
shall not be hurt of the second 
death. Rev. 2:11, 


Rev. 20: 12-15. 


Forasmuch then as the children 
are partakers of flesh and blood, he 
also himself likewise took part of 
the same; that through death he 
might destroy him that had the 
power of death, that is, the devil. 

Heb. 2:14. 





Pergamos. Present state. 


PERGAMOS. 

The condition of Christianity for two or more 
centuries following the accession of Constantine 
the Great, to the Roman throne may be learned 
from the message delivered to the church of 
Pergamos. The ten years’ persecution, which 
took place during the reign of Diocletian, failed 
to accomplish the design of its instigator, and a 
wonderful reaction followed. Constantine, wish- 
ing to gain favor above the very men who were 
_ foremost in the opposition to Christianity, es- 

poused the cause of that despised sect, and 


There are many devices ina man’s 
heart ; nevertheless the counsel of 


the Lord, that shall stand. 


Prov. 19:21. 


Because they rebelled against the 
words of God, and contemned the 
counsel of the most High : 

Therefore he brought down their 
heart with labour ; they fell down, 
and there was none to help. 

Psa. 107 211, 12. 


Herein thou hast done foolishly : 
therefore from henceforth thou shalt 
have wars. 2 Chron. 16:9, 


Heb. 11:15, 16, 


54 STORY 


And to the angel of the church 
in Pergamos write; These things 
saith he which hath the sharp 
sword with two edges, 

Rev, 2:12, 


Samuel said, Hath the Lord as 
great delight in burnt offerings and 
sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of 
the Lord? Behold, to obey is bet- 
ter than sacrifice, and to hearken 
than the fat of rams. 

x Sam. 15:22. 


1 know thy works, and where 
thou dwellest, even where Satan's 
seat is: and thou holdest fast my 
name, and hast not denied my 
faith, evenin those days wherein 
Antipas was my faithful martyr, 
who was slain among you, where 
Satan dwelleth. Rev. 2:13. 


The dragon gave him his power, 
and his seat, and great authority. 
Rev. 13:2. 


Whoso shall offend one of these 
little ones which believe in me, it 
were better for him that a millstone 
were hanged about his neck, and 
that he were drowned in the depth 
of the sea. Matt. 18:6, 


1 Cor. 5: 1-4, 


Num, 31: 16, 


22: 15-22. 


But / have a few things against 
thee, because thou hast there 
them that hold the doctrine of 
Balaam, who taught Balac to cast 
a stumblingblock before the chil- 
dren of Israel, to eat things sac- 
rificed unto idols, and to commit 
fornication, Rev, 2:14, 


OF THE SEER OF PATMOS. 


through him, Christianity was raised to the 
throne of Rome. Pergamos means “ exaltation,” 
or “elevation,” and it was when nominal Chris- 
tianity became popular, and swayed the civi 
government, that the two-edged sword of the 
Word was necessary to separate between the 
true and the false. Naturally the number of 
converts increased rapidly, and church buildings 
multiplied. Officers in the church, under favor 
of the government, spread themselves like the 
green bay tree. The doctrine of Him who said, 
“He that is greatest among you shall be your 
servant,’ was reversed, and the papal hier- 
archy grew apace. This was peculiarly true of 
the Roman See. Other dioceses attempted the 
same exaltation. Constantinople, Jerusalem, 
Ephesus and Alexandria,—all contended for 
supremacy, but Rome, the seat of the dragon, 
was finally the acknowledged head of the Chris- 
tian church. God watched the church as it trod 
this dangerous path to worldly exaltation, and 
to Pergamos He sent this message: “I have a 
few things against thee, because thou hast there 
them that hold the doctrine of Balaam, who 
taught Balac to cast a stumbling-block before 
the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed 
unto idols, and to commit fornication.” 

During the period of ecclesiastical history, 
when the message to Pergamos is applicable, the 
church was guilty of idolatry and fornication. 
Lest Christians should misunderstand the appli- 
cation, and be led to deny the charge, the Spirit 
of God cites them to the experience of Balaam 
with Balac, the king of the Moabites, at a time 
when Israel was about to enter the promised 
land. The following quoted paragraphs throw 


THE MESSAGE TO THE CHURCHES. 


light on the work of Balaam in teaching Balac 
to cast a stumbling-block before Israel :— 

«Balaam was once a good man and a prophet 
of God; but he had apostatized, and had given 
himself up to covetousness ; yet he still professed 
to be a servant of the Most High. He was not 
ignorant of God’s work in behalf of Israel ; and 
when the messengers (from Balac) announced 
their errand, he well knew that it was his duty 
to refuse the reward of Balac, and to dismiss 
the ambassadors. But he vent- 
ured to dally with temptation, 
and urged the messengers to 
tarry with him that night, de- 
claring that he could give no 
decided answer till he had 
asked counsel of the Lord. 
Balaam knew that his curse 
couldnot harm Israel. . . . 
The bribe of costly gifts and 
prospective exaltation excited 
his covetousness. He greedily 
accepted the offered treasures, 
and did not change his course when met by the 
angel. While professing strict obedience to the 
will of God, he tried to comply with the desire 
of Balac.” 

If in reading this paragraph the word “Ba- 
laam” is replaced by the “Church,” in the 
fourth and fifth centuries, and for “Balac”’ is 
read “ Constantine,” or “the Roman Emperor,” 
the exact history of the church is portrayed. 
The church had known God, but it became cov- 
etous; while it still professed allegiance to the 
Most High. The church, tempted by the rich 
offers of the government, parlied with its ambas- 


55 


Josh. 13 :22. 


Woe unto them! for they have 
gone in the way of Cain, and ran 
greedily after the error of Balaam 
for reward, and perished in the gain- 
saying of Core. Jude rr. 


Balaam answered and said unto 
the servants of Balak, If Balak 
would give me his house full of sil- 
ver and gold, I cannot go beyond 
the word of the Lord my God, to do 
less or more. Num, 22: 15-21. 

Tor every one of the house of 
Isracl, or of the stranger that so- - 
journeth in Israel, which separateth 





Balaam did not change his course when met by the 
angel, 


himself from me, and setteth up his 
idols in his heart, and putteth the 
stumblingblock of his iniquity be- 
fore his face, and cometh to a 
prophet to enquire of him concern- 
ing me ; I the Lord will answer him 
by myself. Eze. 14:7. 

The thing that hath been, it is 
that which shall be ; and that which 
is done is that which shall be done : 
and there is no new thing under the 
sun, 

Is there any thing whereof it may 
be said, See, this is new? it hath 
been already of old time, which was 
before us. Eccl. 139, 10. 


This people draweth nigh unto 
me with their mouth, and honoureth 
me with their lips; but their heart 
is far from me. Matt. 15:8. 


56 STORY OF THE SEER OF PATMOS. 


i | _ Nees ye 
aa oy Le 
EE rei S ssl er Ss 
a ofa =m i 


ie 






ae Pe see 
Ya is 


ohm CSE 










sadors and refused to declare the statutes of 
Jehovah, and remain a separate and peculiar 
people. The union of Church and State was 
formed in order to obtain the privileges and pro- 
tection of the civil power. 

The following paragraph, read in the same 
way, gives the second step in the transaction, 
when Church and State joined hands :— 

“Disappointed in his hopes of wealth and 
promotion, in disfavor with the king, and con- 
scious that he had incurred the displeasure of 
God, Balaam returned to his self-chosen mis- 
sion. After he had reached home, the control- 
ling power of the Spirit of God left him, and 
his covetousness, which had been merely held 
in check, prevailed. He was willing to resort to 
any means to gain the reward promised’ by 


Israel invited to a feast of 
the Moabites. 


Balac. . . . He immediately returned to 
the land of Moab, and laid his plans before the 
This is a rebellious people, lying king. 3 > = the plan proposed by Balaam 


children, children that will not hear 


the law of the Lord, Isa. 30:9. | WaS to separate them (Israel, the church) from 
God by enticing them into idolatry. . .. This 
Ye adulterers and adulteresses, plan was readily accepted by the king, and Ba- 
know ye not that the friendship of > Z £ : 3 , 
the world 1s enmity with God? Jaam himself remained to assist in carrying it 
Jas-4:4 into effect. Balaam witnessed the success of 
; his diabolical scheme.” 
Num. 23: 11. 


Num. 24 10, 116 The scheme was that Israel should be invited 


THE MESSAGE TO THE CHURCHES. 


to a feast of the Moabites, where meats sacri- 
ficed to the heathen gods, were eaten, and that 
Israel should be caused to commit adultery with 
the inhabitants of Moab. 

The church between 312 and 538 A.D. joined 
hands with the civil power. It took of the 
wealth of the State, and asked for civil protec- 
tion. Then it was that the spiritual sins of 
idolatry and fornication were introduced. Idol- 
atry was the love of money, the world, and all 
false worship which took the place of the worship 
of Jehovah. It is fornication in the eyes of God 
when His people are wedded to any power save 
the arm of Omnipotence. 

If ancient Israel had remained true to the 
teachings of their leadcr, the temptations of the 
Moabites would have fallen on deaf ears. The 
same is true of the church to which all this his- 
tory is sent asan allegory. The doctrine of the 
Nicolaitanes, as described under the church of 
Ephesus, was a mingling of the pure teachings of 
Christ with the philosophy of the Greeks. If 
this doctrine had not been accepted in the church 
which claimed to be following the Saviour; if 
the children and the young people had been fed 
on zruth instead of the mixture of good and evil, 
as represented by the doctrine of the Nicolai- 
tanes, the church would never have fallen. 
The message to Pergamos applies in the fourth 
and fifth centuries; it has also been the expe- 
rience of each separate Protestant denomina- 
tion, and it is a warning to all churches to the 
end of time. Any interpretation of this period 
that does not correspond with the history of 
Balaam is not according. to the mind of the 
Lord, for God has given Balaam’s history as a 


57 


For if after they have escaped the 
pollutions of the world through the 
knowledge of the Lord and Saviour 
Jesus Christ, they are again en- 
tangled therein, and overcome, the 
latter end is worse with them than 
the beginning. 

For it had been better for them 
not to have known the way of right- 
eousness, than, after they have 
known it, to tum from the holy 
commandment delivered unto them. 

2 Pet. 2:20, 21, 


Matt. 12 : 43-46. 


Behold, these caused the children 
of Isracl, through the counsel of 
Balaam, to commit trespass against 
the Lord in the matter of Peor, and 
there was a plague among the con- 
gregation of the Lord. 

Num. 31:16, 


They called the people unto the 
sacrifices of their gods: and the 
people did eat, and bowed down to 
their gods. 

And Israel joined himself unto 
Baal-peor: and the anger of the 
Lord was kindled against Israel. 

Num. 25 : 1-3. 


Having eyes full of adultery, and 
that cannot cease from sin ; beguil- 
ing unstable souls: an heart they 
have exercised with covetous prac- 
tices ; cursed children : 

Which have forsaken the right 
way, and are gone astray, follow- 
ing the way of Balaam the son of 
Bosor, who loved the wages of un- 


righteousness. 2 Pet. 2:14, 15. 


O my people, remember now what 
Balak king of Moab consulted, and 
what Balaam the son of Beor an- 
swered him from Shittim unto Gil- 
gal; that ye may know the right- 
eousness of the Lord. Mic. 6:5. 


Rev. 17 22-5. 


Rev. 18 32, 3. 


38 STORY 


For the love of money is the root 
of all evil: which while some cov- 
eted after, they have erred from 
the faith, and pierced themselves 
through with many sorrows. 

1 Tim, 6:10, 


O that thou hadst hearkened to 
my commandments! then had thy 
peace been as a river, and thy right- 
eousness as the waves of the sea. 

Isa. 48: 18, 


Psa, 119: 11. 


So hast thou also them that hold 
the doctrine of the Nicolaitanes, 
which thing | hate. Rev. 2:16. 


Num, 23 : 1-6, 14-17, 29, 30. 


No man can serve two masters: 
for either he will hate the one, and 
love the other ; or else he will hold 
to the one, and despise the other. 
Ye cannot serve God and mammon, 

Matt. 6:24. 


Jer. 7 17-19. 
Deut. 4 :23-28, 


That which hath been is now; 
and that which is to be hath already 
been ; and God requireth that which 
is past. Eccl. 3: 15. 

Heb. 4:12. 


OF THE SEER OF PATMOS. 


test by which we may know the true interpre- 
tation. 

* Repent; or else I will come unto thee 
quickly, and will fight against them with the 
sword of my mouth,” which is the two-edged 
sword. From the midst of the church, which 
fell because of its union with the State, God 
separated, by His Spirit, a little company whose 
history may be read in a part of the message 
sent to the church of Thyatira. 

God calls to each church, no matter how low 
the ebb of spirituality, and those who have an 
ear turned heavenward, hear. “To him that 
overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna, 
and will give him a white stone, and in the 
stone a new name written, which no man know- : 
eth saving he that receiveth it.’ As the sins 
of the church of Pergamos are given in the form 
of a parable, so the blessings to the repentant 
ones of this period are offered in figure. Those 
who had in sin partaken of food offered to idols, 
are offered in exchange the “hidden manna.” 
Manna is the bread of heaven, and as it was the 
only food necessary to nourish the multitudes of 
Israel during their forty years’ journey, it be- 
came a fit emblem of Christ, the bread sent 
down to the world. Eating flesh sacrificed to 
idols brings death, but hidden manna brings life. 
“Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say 
unto you, Moses gave you not that bread from 
heaven; but My Father giveth you the true 
bread from heaven. For the bread of God is 
He which cometh down from heaven, and giveth 
life unto the world.” A union of Church and 
State crushes the spiritual life of any church. 
Why will men eat the food of idolatry when the 


THE MESSAGE TO THE CHURCHES. 59 


bread of heaven is free to all? Why do Chris- 
tians in the education of their children, cultivate 
in them an appetite for “ food sacrificed to idols,” 
instead of spreading the table with manna which 


will give life to the soul? 





Ruins near ancient Pergamos. 


The lesson for the church as a whole is total 
separation from the civil power. The lesson to 
the home and to the individual is complete sepa- 
ration from the world. Cling to God; for He 
has the hidden manna. Feed the children on 


Repent; or else | will come unto 
thee quickly, and will fight against 
them with the sword of my mouth. 

Rev. 2:16. 


Deut. 13 : 6-11. 
Isa. 17:6. 


The Lord did not set his love 
upon you, nor choose you, because 
ye were more in number than any 
people ; for ye were the fewest of 
all people. Deut. 7:7. 


Luke 12:32. 
Isa. 1:18. 
Isa. 43 226. 


Moses said unto Aaron, Take 
a pot, and put an omer full of 
manna therein, and lay it up be- 
fore the Lord, to be kept for 
your generations. 

Ex. 16:32, 33- 


Rey. 19:12. 


He that hath anear, let him 
hear what the Spirit saith unto 
the churches; To him that over- 
cometh will | give to eat of the 
hidden manna, and will give him 
a white stone, and in the stonea 
new name written, which no man 
&noweth saving he that receiveth 
it. Rev. 2:17. 


Our fathers did eat manna in the 
desert ; as it is written, He gave 
them bread from heaven to eat. 

John 6:31. 


I am the living bread which came 
down from heaven: if any man eat 
of this bread, he shall live for ever : 
and the bread that I will give is my 
flesh, which I will give for the life 
of the world, Tohn 6 51. 


60 STORY 


Isa, 52211, 12. 
Jer. 50:8. 


Jer. 51 :6, 45. 
2 Cor, 6: 14-18, 


2 Tim. 3:15, 16. 


Corn shall make the young men 
grow, and new wine the maids. 
Zech. 9: 17 [margin.] 


In the divisions of Reuben there 
were great searchings of heart. 
Judges 5 :15, 16[margin.] 


Eph. 6:17. 
Rev. 2:17. 
Hag. 2:23. 


Set me as a seal upon thine heart, 
as a seal upon thine arm: for love 
is strong as death. 

Sol. Songs 8 :6. 


Mal. 3:17. 


We all, with open face beholding 
as ina glass the glory of the Lord, 
are changed into the same image 
from glory to glory, even as by the 
Spirit of the Lord. 2 Cor. 3:18. 


O my dove, that art in the clefts 
of the rock, in the secret places of 
the stairs, let me see thy counte- 
nance, let me hear thy voice ; for 
sweet is thy voice, and thy counte- 
nance iscomely. Sol. Song 2:14. 


Matt. 11:27. 

« Pet. 3:4. 

1 Cor. 6: 18-20. 
Gen. 32 24-29. 


Yea, he had power over the angel, 
and prevailed : he [wept, and made 
supplication unto him: he found 
him in Beth-el, and there he spake 
with us, Hos, 12:4, 


OF THE SEER OF PATMOS. 


hidden manna; for it is well adapted to supply 
every need. God is teaching in these words a 
wonderful lesson on the laws of physical growth 
by simplicity of food; of mental growth by 
purity of food,—food unadulterated with 
heathen teachings,—and a spiritual lesson of 
marriage with the Lamb, instead of with the 
dragon. 

The keen heart searching of the Spirit, repre- 
sented by the sword with the double edge, is 
shown in the second reward which is offered the 
repentant soul. To him is given a white stone, 
and in the stone a new name, which is known 
only to the one who receives it. As Zerubbabel 
was called a signet, or stone of sealing, repre- 
sented as worn upon the hand of the Lord, so is 
each one who chooses to follow Christ in prefer- 
enee to the world. The stone is white, of 
dazzling purity. There are seen in it none of 
the tints which are admired by human eyes, but 
it is a stone free from all signs of impurity, and 
on it is impressed, by the power of God, the 
name which is known only to the individual and 
his Redeemer. Others may pronounce that 
name, it is true, but its significance is a secret 
between Christ and the individual. The one 
who receives it has been guilty of idolatry and 
fornication, and ‘none other. save his Lord can 
know the soul experience which brought the 
new name. Once it was Jacob, supplanter. 
None but the bearer knew how applicable was 
the name. Every time it was pronounced by 
friend or foe, it was an open rebuke from God. 
And when at the close of the night of wrestling, 
the angel said, “Thy name shall be called no 
more Jacob, but Israel”—a prince of God,— 


fi MESSAGE TO" THE CHURCHES. 61 


none but Israel knew the depth of meaning in 
that new name. 


When the Jewish nation lived near to God, and’ 


the voice of Jehovah could be heard, every child 
was named under the direction of the Spirit. 
To-day heaven has a new name carved on a 
pure white stone for each sinner who repents, 
and the deeper the crimson dye of sin, the purer 
the stone will appear by contrast. ‘Blessed is 
he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is 
covered. Blessed is the man to whom the Lord 
imputeth not iniquity, and in whose spirit there 
is no guile.” 


Gen, 23 :28. 
Gen. 16:11. 


Matt. 1:21. 
Ex. 2:10. 


. 


Rom. 5 : 20. 


Come now, and let us reason to- 
gether, saith the Lord : though your 
sins be as scarlet, they shall be as 
white as snow; though they be red 
like crimson, they shall be as wool. 

Isa, 1:18. 


Rom. 4:7, 8 





Thyratira. Present state, 


THYATIRA. 

The message to Pergamos carries ecclesiastical 
history to the year 538 A. D., at which time the un- 
ion between civil and ecclesiastical power, begun 
in the days of Constantine, was consummated. 
During the period covered by Pergamos, the 


Israel is swallowed up : now shall 
they be among the Gentiles as a 
vessel wherein is no pleasure. 

Hos, 8:8. 


The iniquity of Ephraim is bound 
up; hissinis hid. Hos, 13:12. 


62 STORY 


Deut. 32 : 32-34. 


O Israel, thou hast destroyed thy- 
self ; but in me is thine help. 
Hos. 13:9. 


We willeat our own bread, and 
wear our own apparel; only let us 
be called by thy name, to take away 
our reproach. Isa. 431. 


Eph. 2:3, 4. 


For if we sin wilfully after that 
we have received the knowledge ot 
the truth, there remaineth no more 
sacrifice forsins. Heb, 10:26,27. 


Whosoever therefore will be a 
friend of the world is the enemy of 
God. jase dae 


And unto the angel of the church 
in Thyatira write; These things 
saith the Son of God, who hath 
his eyes like untoa flame of fire, 
and his feet are like fine brass. 

Rev. 2:18. 


Rev. 2:19. 
Rom. 3:15. 
Matt. 23 215. 
Rev. 13 :3.- 
Rev. 18: 9-11. 


All that dwell upon the earth 
shall worship him, whose names are 
not written in the book of life of the 
Lamb slain from the foundation of 
the world. Rev. 13:8. 


Be sober, be vigilant; because 
your adversary the devil, as a roar- 
ing lion, walketh about, seeking 
whom he may devour, 

1 Pet. 5:8. 


Rom. 3 :20, 28, 


OF THE SEER OF PATMOS. 


Spirit of the Lord was with the church as a 
church ; but near the end of that period, a sep- 
aration began to take place. In the years fol- 
lowing, there was formed an organization still 
carrying the name of Christian; and another 


company, separating from that first organization,’ 


because of the practices of Balaam,—the idolatry 
and fornication practiced by those who were 
once Christians indeed. ‘Thus improper educa- 
tion was the cause of the apostasy of the church, 
and the one sign of its fall was that, in its spiritual 
weakness, it sought the civil power for support. 

It is under these conditions that the message 
comes to the church of Thyatira. It is sent by 
“the Son of God, who hath His eyes like unto a 
flame of fire, and His feet are like fine brass.” 
Christ still walks among the candlesticks, but to 
Thyatira He comes with “eyes like unto a flame 
of fire” to search the very hearts of those who 
profess to be His followers. To these He says, 
“T know thy works, and charity, and service, and 
faith, and thy patience, and thy works.” This 
was not an idle period; their works are thrice 
mentioned in the one list. Those who estab- 
lished a state religion, replacing paganism by 
the papacy, were most diligent workers. The 
church absorbed every government, every 
industry, all the educational institutions,— 
everything. There was not a corner of Europe 
which was not under the direct inspection of 
that allabsorbing organization known as the 
papacy. Not only kings on their thrones, but 
every private individual in his own home, was 
amenable to the power of Rome. The church 
stood between the king and his subjects; it 
stood between parents and children; it came 


HE MESSAGE TO: TEE CHURCHES: 


even between husband and wife. The secrets 
of men’s hearts were open to the confessor. 
Works, works of all kinds ,were advocated ; for 
the church taught that men were saved by 
works. Long pilgrimages across continents paid 
many a debt of sin. Penance and indulgences 
took bread from many a- hungry mouth. The 
strongest government that ever bore sway was 
seated on the throne. Nevertheless 
the masses thought that in their 
works for the church, their service, 
their charities and their faith, they 
served the Christ. “ Notwithstanding 
I have a few things against thee, be- 
cause thou sufferest that woman Jeze- 
bel, which calleth herself a prophetess, 
to teach and to seduce my servants to 
commit fornication, and to eat things 
sacrificed unto idols.” 
puted to the church of Pergamos are 
repeated in the message to Thyatira, 
but they are introduced by a different 
character. The woman Jezebel is 
taken as an object lesson. 

Jezebel was a Zidonian princess, a 
prophetess of the god Baal. Unlike 
Balaam, who before his fall worshiped 
the true God, Jezebel never made any pretensions 
of worshiping the Lord. Ahab, the king of 
Israel, married her for the sake of her influence, 
but found himself completely under the control 
of a headstrong, wicked woman. At her table, 
in the kingdom of Israel, sat the prophets of Baal. 
In the capital were erected temples, groves, and 
altars, to the heathen god ; sun-worship took the 
place of the worship of Jehovah. The prophets 


The sins im- 


63 


1 know thy works, and charity, 
and service, and faith, and ‘thy 
patience, and thy works; and the 
last to be more than the first. 

Rev. 2:19. 


Dan. 2:40. 


I said, Lord, they know that I 
imprisoned and beat in every syn- 
agogue them that believed on thee. 

Acts 22: 19, 20. 


Gal. 1:13. 





The secrets of men’s hearts were open to the 


confessor. 


Notwithstanding | have a few 
things against thee, 5ecause thou 
sufferest that woman Jezebel, 
which calleth herself a prophetess, 
to teach and to seduce my seru- 
ants to commit fornication, and to 
eat things sacrificed unto idols. 

Rev. 2:20. 


It came to pass, as if it had been 
a light thing for him to walk in the 
sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, 
that he took to wife Jezebel the 
daughter of Ethbaal king of the 
Zidonians. 1 Kings 16 :31-33. 


64 


Prov. 5 :3-6. 
Prov. 7 :21-27. 
1 Kings 18:19. 
1 Kings 18:4. 
2 Chron. 14:5 [margin]. 


She wrote in the letters, saying, 
Proclaim a fast, and set Naboth on 


STORY 


high among the people : 
And set two men, sons of Belial, 


before him, to bear witness against 
him, saying, Thou didst blaspheme 
God and the king. And then carry 
him out, and stone him, that he may 


die. 


Elias was a man subject to like 
passions as we are, and he prayed 
earnestly that it might not rain: 
and it rained not on the earth by the 


1 Kings 21 : 8-13. 


space of three years and six months. 


x Kings 17:1. 
Luke 4:25. 

x Kings 21 :23, 24. 
2 Kings 9 : 30-37. 
Jas. 2: 14-26. 

1 John 5:4. 
Rom. 5 : 13-17. 


But there was none like unto 
Ahab, which did sell himself to 
work wickedness in the sight of the 
Lord, whom Jezebel his wife 


stirred up. 


And he did very abominably in 
following idols, according to all 
things as did the Amorites, whom 
the Lord cast out before the chil- 


Jas. 5 : 17. 


dren of Israel. 1 Kings21:25, 26. 


Lam. 
Dan. 
Rev. 
Lam. 
Rey. 
Rev. 


Who opposeth and exalteth him- 
self above all that is called God, or 
that is worshipped ; so that he as 
God sitteth in the temple of God, 


icine. 

7 321,25. 
13 37a 
4:18, 19. 
17 31-6. 
16 13, 14. 


shewing himself that he is God. 


2 Thess. 2:4. 


OF THE SEER OF PATMOS. 


of God were put to death by order of the queen ; 
even Elijah fled before her face. She was a prop- 
agator of whoredom and witchcraft, and in the 
name of the king, she wrote a letter causing in- 
nocent men to be put to death. Israel had war, 
bloodshed, and finally captivity, as the result of 
the evil of this woman. It was during her lifetime 
that the heavens were stayed so that it rained 
not for three years and a half. The history 
of Jezebel is an unerring guide to the inter- 


pretation of the prophetic history of the church 


during the Dark Ages. ‘ 

In every detail, even to this last period of 
years, the history of Jezebel is a parable of the 
church history during the time, times, and half 
a time—the three and one half years of the 
papal supremacy, the period covered by the 
message to Thyatira. As a result of the doc- 
trine of justification by works, which was the 
stronghold of the church during this period, 
Europe had over a thousand years of darkness, 
known in all history as the Dark Ages. It was 
a tyranny of the most absolute kind,—a tyranny 
of theology over thought. Whosoever raised a 
hand against the church, fell as did Naboth 
whom Jezebel slew. Sorcery, witchcraft, idol- 
atry, and fornication took the place of the 
religion of Jesus Christ. Antichrist, or the 
“mystery of iniquity,” had full control of the 
world. As Jezebel wrote in the king’s name, 
and in his name slew an innocent man, so the 
apostate church opposed and exalted itself above 
the King of heaven, and while speaking in His 
name, it changed the law of Jehovah, and put to 
death thousands who were, indeed, followers of 
Christ. 


THE MESSAGE TO THE CHURCHES. 


Jezebel had an opportunity to repent, so also 
had Ahab her husband; for there were many 
prophets in Israel, and the truth of God was 
taught ; but the royal family were so under the 
control of the mother that there was no-salvation 
for them. So God said of Thyatira, or the 
church of the Dark Ages, “I gave her space to 
repent of her fornication ; and she repented not.” 
But as there was a day of recompense with 
Jezebel, so there will be with the oppressive 





The End of Jezebel. 


power of the papacy. Jezebel was thrown from 
a window and dashed to pieces, and dogs ate 
her body. Ahab was slain, and dogs licked up 
his blood, and his sons were also killed. Of the 
“mystery of iniquity” it is recorded, “ Behold, I 
will cast her into a bed, and them that commit 
adultery with her into great tribulation, except 
they repent of their.deeds. And I will kill her 
children with death; and all the churches 
shall know that I am He which searcheth the 


reins and hearts: and I will give unto every one 


5 


65 


Dan. 7 :25. 


And I gave her space to repent 
of her fornication; and she re- 
pented not. Rev. 2:21. 


1 Kings 18 : 17-39. 
1 Kings 21 :23-29. 
2 Kings 9 :7-10. 
Dan. 7 :7-11. 
Rev. 2:21. 

Rev, 19 20, 


Wherefore they came again, ana 
told him. And he said, This is the 
word of the Lord, which he spake 
by his servant Elijah the Tishbite, 
saying, In the portion of Jezreel 
shall dogs eat the flesh of Jezebel. 

2 Kings g :36- 


2 Kings 9 30-37. 
1 Kings 22 337-39 
2 Kings 101-7, 


Behold, | will cast her into abed, 
and them that commit adultery 
with her into great tribulation, 
except they repent of their deeds, 

And | will kill her children with 
death ; and all the churches shall 
know that | am he which search- 
eth the reins and hearts: andl 
will give unto every one of you 
according to your works. 

Rev. 2; 22, 28, 


66 STORY 


He that leadeth into captivity 
shall go into captivity: he that 
killeth with the sword must be 
killed with the sword. Here is the 
patience and the faith of the saints. 

Rev, 13 310. 


Dan. 7 :26. 
Rev. 17:5. 


And the beast was taken, and 
with him the false prophet that 
wrought miracles before him, with 
which he deceived them that had 
received the mark of the beast, and 
them that worshipped his image. 
These both were cast alive into a 
lake of fire burning with brimstone. 

Rev. 19:20. 


There shall be a time of trouble, 
such as never was since there was a 
nation even to that same time : and 
at that time thy people shall be de- 
livered, every one that shall be 
found written in the book. 

Dan, 12:1. 


To the woman were given two 
wings of a great eagle, that she 
might fly into the wilderness, into 
her place, where she is nourished 
fora time, and times, and half a 
time, from the face of the serpent 

Rev. 12:6, 14. 


1 Kings 18:4, 13. 


Yet have left me seven thousand 
in Israel, all the knees which have 
not bowed unto Baal, and every 
mouth which hath not kissed him, 

1 Kings 19:18. 


Rejoice not against me, O mine 
enemy: when I fall, I shall arise ; 
when I sit in darkness, the Lord 
shall be a light unto me, 

I will bear the indignation of the 
Lord, because I have sinned against 
him, until he plead my cause, and 
execute judgment for me: he will 
bring me forth to the light, and I 
shall behold his righteousness, 

Micah 7 :8, 9 


OF THE SEER OF PATMOS. 


of you according to your works.” Herein is 
given the final destruction of the apostate 
church. The civil power of the papacy was 
broken in 1798, when Pope Pius VI. was taken 
prisoner by the French; but the influence 
continues. Thyatira is Babylon itself, and the 
churches spoken of elsewhere as “daughters of 
Babylon,” will meet with the fate of the mother, 
Thyatira ; for when the history of all churches is 


over, Babylon and her daughters will be de- 


stroyed in the lake of fire. The time of trouble 
spoken of by Daniel, the prophet (Dan. 12: 1), 
will be the time of tribulation for Thyatira. Of 
this the dreadful death of Jezebel is a symbol; 
as her life and deeds are taken to typify the 
church itself. 

Mention has already been made of a separa- 
tion from the church as a church in the days 
of Pergamos and the early days of Thyatira. 
Individuals, who recognized the leadings of the 
Spirit, gathered in little companies, hidden away 
in the caves, mountain fortresses, and dens, 
like the prophets of God in the days of Jezebel. 
In these secluded spots were thousands who 
did not bow the knee to Baal. Among these 
were the Waldenses of Italy, and others scat- 
tered all through Europe, who retained the Word 
of God, and trusted in His promises. Of these 
scattered, yet faithful ones, the message speaks 
in the following words: “ But unto you I say, and 
unto the rest in Thyatira, as many as have not 
this doctrine (of Jezebel), and which have not 
known the depths of Satan, as they speak; I 
will put upon you none other burden.” 

The name Zkhyativa means “sacrifice of con- 
zvition,’ and appears to have direct application 


THE MESSAGE TO THE CHURCHES. 


to those, who, in the eyes of their persecutors 
and the world, were looked upon as heretics 
and outlaws—fit subjects for the stake. Their 
sacrifice was in truth a “sacrifice of contrition.” 
The contrite heart is the heart which God 
honors. As the ages passed, much of the light 
and truth which shone upon the Apostolic 
Church had been lost ; but the Saviour does not 
rebuke the ones who were sacrificing for the 
truth which they knew and lived out, because 
they did not have the light of the first centuries. 

Justification by faith was 
the doctrine which broke the 
power of the papacy. Christ 
and Him crucified, a truth so 
long forgotten, or replaced by 
faith in the head of the church, 
was given to the people of the 
world in the sixteenth century. 
Many other truths, long hid- 
den by the darkness, or buried 
under the traditions of the 
church, were brought forward 
in the early days of the 
Reformation. The Sabbath of the decalogue 
was acknowledged; some preached upon the 
true meaning of baptism, and others made known 
the proper relation of the church to the state ; 
but these subjects were too strong for minds so 
long held. in subjection. The age was not ripe 
for the fullness of truth. But as watchmen of 
the night hail the dawn when the morning star 
arises, so the early Reformers, from Wycliffe to 
Luther and his contemporaries, opened the Scrip- 
tures, and the first rays of light brought joy 
and gladness to those who sat in darkness. The 


67 


But unto you / say, and unto the 
rest in Thyatlra, as many as have 
not this doctrine, and which have 
not known the depths of Satan, 
as they speak; / will put upon 
you none other burden. 

Rev, 2:24. 


Though I have afflicted thee, I 
will afflict thee no more. 
Nah. 1:12. 


Thou hast made us as the off- 
scouring and refuse in the midst of 
the people. 

All our enemies have opened 
their mouths against us. 

Lam. 3 :45, 46. 






When the 
morning star 
arises. 


Acts 24:14. 

Heb, 11:38. 

For he said, Surely they are my 
people, children that will not lie: 
so he was their Saviour. 

Isa. 63 :8. 

This is the victory that overcom- 
eth the world, even our faith. 

x John 5:4. 

For I am determined not to know 
any thing among you, save Jesus 
Christ, and him crucified. 

1 Cor, 2:2. 

Psa. 119: 18. 


Making the word of God of none 
effect through your tradition, which * 
ye have delivered: and many such 
like things do ye. Mark 7:2-13. 


68 


Ex. 20:8-11. 
Rom. 6 :3-5. 
Acts 8:38, 39. 
Matt. 3 215, 16. 
Matt. 22:21. 


For when for the time ye ought 
to be teachers, ye have need that 
one teach you again which be the 
first principles of the oracles of 
God ; and are become such as have 
need of milk, and not of strong 
meat. 

-For every one that useth milk is 
unskilful in the word of righteous- 
ness: for he is a babe. 

eb ae). 25 tas 
Psa. 130:6. 
Dan. 11:33. 


Thy words were found, and I did 
eat them; and thy word was unto 
me the joy and rejoicing of mine 
heart : for I am called by thy name, 
O Lord God of hosts. 

Jer. 15 : 16. 


The entrance of thy words giveth 
light ; it giveth understanding unto 


the simple. Psa, 119: 130. 


Matt. 24:29. 


When these things begin to come 
to pass, then look up, and lift up 
your heads; for your redemption 
draweth nigh. Luke 21 :28. 


But that which ye have already 
hold fast till | come. 
Rev, 2:26, 


For he knoweth our frame ; he 
remembereth that we are dust. 
Psa. 103 :14. 
x Cor. 10:13. 
Matt. 24:42. 
Prov. 4 :18. 


Light is sown for the righteous, 
and gladness for the upright in 
heart. Psa. 97:11. 


Matt. 5 : 14-16. 
Psa. 147215. 
Luke 13 :21. 
Psa. 238, 9. 


STORY OF THE SEER OF PATMOS. 


very ones who saw the darkness break before 
the light of God’s Word, saw also the sign of the 
coming of the Son of man, which was hung in 
the heavens. In 1780 the sun was darkened, 
This was the first of a series of celestial signs 
(see chapter VII., Sixth Seal), and it was given 
to encourage those who had been oppressed. 

Christ says, “I will put upon you none other 
burden. But that which ye have already hold 
fast till I come.” How merciful is our God. 
He measures out to humanity its burdens of lite, 
and no burden is made heavier than can be 
borne. ‘Only hold fast till I come,” are His 
To others, more 
accustomed to the light, greater truths would be 
made known. 


words of encouragement. 


Hoiding 
up the 
torch of 
truth. 





To the little companies thus addressed, was 
given the privilege of holding up the torch of 
truth. Asa beacon on a hill, seen from afar, 
the light shone from the valleys of the Piedmont. 
Many came in contact with this light, and soon 
fires were kindled throughout Europe. “He 
that overcometh, and keepeth My works unto 
the end, to him will I give power over the 
nations.” Truth was bound to tnumph, though 
trampled to the ground for over a thousand 


years. At last the faithful ones will reign as 
kings. The hand of the oppressor will be broken 


to pieces, as a potter’s vessel. There was a 
time when the clay was soft and yielding, when 


tne MESSAGH FO: VHE CEURCHES, 


it could have been remolded; but as the fires 
of persecution kindled, those who remained 
hardened in sin became so set that any attempt 
to change them. resulted in breaking them to 
pieces. “I will give him the morning star.” 
Christ is the light, and the faithful ones at the 
close of the years of persecution were told to lift 
up their heads, for their “ redemption draweth 
nigh.” This is the first church which is pointed 
forward to the second coming of Christ. The 
message to Thyatira is in harmony with the 
Psalmist’s words, ‘‘ My soul waiteth for the Lord 
more than they that watch for the morning; 


I say, more than they that watch for the 


morning.” 

It should be remembered that, as the experi- 
ences of Ephesus, Smyrna, and Pergamos, will 
be repeated in the last church before the second 
coming of Christ, so the history of Thyatira will 
have its counterpart in the last generation. 
The power of Jezebel will again be felt. What 
was once done by a church in days of intellectual 
darkness will be repeated in days of great light. 
The union of the church and state will be fol- 
lowed by laws compelling obedience to man-made 
laws, instead of the laws of God. The law of 
God will be trampled under foot; for a church 
with civil power always works the works of Jez- 
ebel. Just as Elijah fled before ancient Jezebel, 
so those proclaiming the last warning message, 
of which Elijah was a type, will be persecuted 
by this power. This message is impressed upon 
the minds of those living in the latter days by 
the oft-repeated words, “He that hath an ear, 
let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the 
churches.” 


69. 


And he that overcometh, and 
keepeth my works unto the end, to 
him will | give power over the 
nations ; 

And he shall rule them with a 
rod of iron: as the vessels of a 
potter shall they be broken to 
shivers: evenas! received of my 
Father. Reu, 2:26, 27. 


Jer. 18:1-4. 


For ye know how that afterward, 
when he would have inherited the 
blessing, he was rejected: for he 
found no place of repentance, 
though he sought it carefully with 
tears. Heb, 12: 15-17. 

dete dT Os, ic 


And / will give him the morning 
star. Rev, 2; 28, 


Iam the light of the world: he 
that followeth me shall not walk in 
darkness, but shall have the light 
of life. John 8:12. 


Titus 2:13. 
Psa. 1306. 


Is there any thing whereof it may 
be said, See, this is new? it hath 
been already of old time, which was 
before us. Eccl. 1: 10, 


Dan. 7:21, 22. 


He had power to give life unto 
the image of the beast, that the 
image of the beast should both 
speak, and cause that as many as 
would not worship the image of the 
beast should be killed. 

Rey. 13:15. 


That no man might buy or sell, 
save he that had the mark, or the 
name of the beast, or the number 
of his name. Rev. 13:17. 
Rev. 17 :3-6. 

Rev. 12:17. 


He that hath an ear, let him 
hear what the Spirit saith unto 
the churches. Rev, 2; 29. 





CHAPTER 


IV. 


THE MESSAGE TO THE CHURCHES.—Continued. 


The Lord bless thee, O habita 
tion of justice, and mountain of 
holiness. Jer. 31: 23. 


Because they have committed vil- 
lany in Israel, and have committed 
adultery with their neighbours’ 
wives, and have spoken lying words 
in my name, which I have not com- 
manded them; even I know, and 
am a witness, saith the Lord. 

Jer. 29: 19, 23. 


I have given the dearly beloved 
of my soul into the hand of her 
enemies. Jer. 1227-11. 


Jer. 11 215-17. 
Acts 5 :29. 
Eze. 20:35, 37+ 


If ye be.willing and obedient, ye 
shall eat the good of the land, 
Isa. 12 1Q 


7O 


SARDIS. 


THE message to Sardis is addressed to Prot- 
estantism. The period covered by Thyatira 
was the era of papal persecution. This church 
was once the church of God, one of the candle- 
sticks among which the Son of man was seen to 
walk, but when that organization prostituted 
itself by joining hands with the state, when, in 
other words, it followed the example of Balaam 
and worked the works of Jezebel, the oil was 
withheld from the candlestick, and given to 
those who were willing to obey God in preference 
to the head of the church. God regards char- 
acter, not name; and the faithful few to whom 
the light was entrusted, were mentioned in a 
part of the message to Thyatira. They were 
the ones who knew not the works of Jezebel. 


THE MESSAGE TO THE CHURCHES. 


These became the forerunners of Protestantism. 
The darkness was first broken when Wycliffe, 
“the morning star of the Reformation,” trans- 
lated the Bible into the English language. The 
first streaks of dawn lighted up the sky, and in 
the course of two hundred years, the sun had a- 
risen in its splendor. The church came out of the 
wilderness, leaning on the arm of her Beloved. 
The twelve hundred and sixty years of darkness 
ended. It was like the return of spring after a 
severe winter. Life of every kind sprang into 
existence. Energy, long dormant, seemed sud- 
denly imbued with a hitherto unknown <activity. 
Discovery followed discovery; inventions were 
multiplied ; men, accustomed to spending a life- 
time in one village, now found the world opening 
before them through publications and increased 
facilities for travel. Every branch of science 
was explored, governments bestirred themselves, 


and the dust of the Middle Ages was shaken off.” 


America’ was discovered and settled. Men 
knew not why it happened at such a time and 
under such circumstances ; but God was prepar- 
ing a cradle for the new-born cause of Protest- 
antism. Germany might have nourished it; 
England had an opportunity to cherish it ; but it 
was in America that the new church found con- 
genial environments for growth: and while all 
nations receive the Sardis message, it is par- 
ticularly applicable in the United States, or at 
least, the United States becomes the center for 
the movement therein mentioned. 

Sardis means “prince of joy’; and the name 
is most appropriate for those who received the 
hight of the eighteenth century, and the first 
half of the nimeteenth century. Protestantism 


71 


If thou doest well, shalt thou not 
be accepted ? Gen. 4:7. 
He shall be as the light of the 
morning, when the sun riseth, even 
a morning without clouds; as the 
tender grass springing out of the 
earth by clear shining after rain, 
2 Sam. 23:4. 





Wycliffe. 


Many shall run to and fro, and 
knowledge shall be increased. 
Dan, 12:4. 


Hos, 2214-22. 


The chariots shall rage in the 
streets, they shall justle one against 
another in the broad ways: they 
shall seem like torches, they shall 
run like the lightnings. 

He shall recount his worthies : 
they shall stumble ‘n their walk; 
they shall make haste to the wall 
thereof, and the defence shall be 
prepared. 

The gates of the rivers shall be 
opened, and the palace shall be 
dissolved, Nahum 2: 4-6. 


Psa. 40213, 14. 


Go, ye swift messengers, to a 
nation scattered and peeled, to a 
people terrible from their beginning 
hitherto ; a nation meted out and 
trodden down, whose land the 
Trivers have spoiled! 

All ye inhabitants of the world, 
and dwellers on the earth, see ye, 
when he lifteth up an ensign on the 
mountains ; and when he blowetha 
trumpet, hearye. Isa. 18 :1-4, 7. 


72 STORY OF THE SEER OF PATMOS. 


Neither be ye sorry ; for the joy 
of the Lord is your strength. 
Neh. 8:10. 


In him was life ; and the life was 
the light of men. John 1:4. 


Whosoever will, let him take the 
water of life freely. Rev. 22:17. 


For there is no respect of per- 
sons with God. Rom, 2:11. 


I will overturn, overturn, over- 
turn, it: and it shall be no more, un- 
til he come whose right it is ; and I 
will give ithim. Eze. 21 :26, 27. 


The small and great are there ; 
and the servant is free from his 
master. Job 3:19. 


Prov. 29:2. 
Isa. 9:2. 


It is happened unto them accord- 
ing to the true proverb, The dog is 
turned to his own vomit again; 
and, the sow that was washed to 
her wallowing in the mire. 

2 Pet. 2:22. 


2 Cor. 6 514. 
Isa. 8:20. 


Deut. 6 :6-9. 


If we walk in the light, as he is 
in the light, we have fellowship one 
with another, and the blood of Je- 
sus Christ his Son cleanseth us 
from all sin, x John 1:7. 


Acts 15 :28. 
Prov. 11:5, 
Luke 19 : 20-23. 


How long halt ye between two 
opinions? if the Lord be God, fol- 
low him: but if Baal, then follow 
him. 1 Kings 18:21. 


My son, fear thou the Lord and 
the king: and meddle not with 
them that are given to change: 

For their calamity shall rise sud- 
denly ; and who knoweth the ruin 
of them both? Prov. 24:21, 22. 


is an active, living principle, based upon eternal 
truths. It came as the result of the opening 
of the Scriptures to the common people. The 
doctrine of justification by faith makes every 
man responsible to God alone, and necessitates 
freedom of conscience. When it is once made 
known that every man is equal in the sight of 
God, a deathblow is struck to all tyranny in 
government ; and with freedom of conscience, 
comes also a government by the people and for 
the people. Inthe days of Luther, Germany and 
the other countries of Europe, had an opportunity 
to develop this twofold nature of Protestantism. 
For a time it seemed that all Europe would be 
transformed ; but gradually, there was a return 
to papal principles in Germany, and nearly all of 
the other countries, which had espoused the 
cause of Protestantism, followed her example. 
The return was largely due to the educational 
work of the Jesuits, who arose to counteract the 
teachings of the Reformers. 

Since the days of Wycliffe, there had been in 
England followers of God, walking in all the 
light which they had received. Upon these 
God placed “none other burden”; but as the 
light increased, Protestantism in its broadest 
sense, was offered to England. The history of 
England was, for a time, a struggle between the 
papacy, and Protestantism under the name of 
Puritanism. The Commonwealth was Puritan- 
ism in power; and it was then demonstrated 
that there was not yet strength enough to resist 
the crown of tyranny when it lay within the 
grasp of man. England returned allegiance 
to her own royal family ; but so strong were the 
principles of Protestantism that her government 


1798, 1833, 1844, 


Pure, Bloody. Corrupt. Death, Met Love, 


73 223 215 35 11 
Yoars. Yoars, Yoars, Yoars. | Years. 


Lukewarm. 


1260 Years. To the End, 


PHILA- 


THYATIRA, SARDIS,| DEL- 
PHIA, 


EPHESUS, SMYRNA, PERGAMOS, LAODICEA, 


Song of | Broth- 


erly 
Love. 


A just people, or 
judging the people, 


Savor of labor, or Joy, or 
Sacrifice of contrition, that which 
remains. 


Height, or 
Elevation, 


Virst, or Myrrh, or Sweet- 
Desirable, smelling Savor. 





History 
in the 
New 
Testament. 


THE messages to the seven churches cover the period from the beginning of Ch 


The Saviour 
prophesied 
of this 
period, 


Parallel 
with 
the history of 
Balaam, 


Parallel with 
the history of Jezebe 


1, 


History 
given from 
Father to Son. 


Present 
Generation, 


rist’s ministry to His second coming. 


This line of prophecy follows the church from the purity of the first century, until it unites with the state and perse- 
cutes the true people of God, and finally emerges from the Dark Ages and separating from the world prepares to meet 


its Lord and Master in the clouds of heaven. 


The history of the first period is found in the New Testament, the second was plainly foretold by Christ. During 
the Pergamos and Thyatira periods the darkness was so dense that the historians of this period are unreliable, therefore 


the Lord gives the parallel history of the times of Balaam and Jezebel as guides for these periods. 


The history of the 


fifth and sixth periods can be received from the preceding generation, while the last period is present time. 


DIAGRAM OF THE SEVEN CHURCHES. 








ye 
- 
' 
1 
‘ \e 
' 
7 4 " 
+ 
i 
- 
‘ 
: 
: 
i t 
’ 
4 





THE MESSAGE TO THE CHURCHES. 


has been, since the days of the Commonwealth, 
a government by the people. It was in England 
that the first Anglo-Saxon branches of Protest- 
antism had birth, and it was because of lack of 
freedom in the mother country, that separatists 
from the English church sought homes in 
America. 

It is true that freedom was not always granted 
in those early days; for the very ones who 
crossed the ocean because of oppression at home, 
oppressed, in America, those who did not wor- 
ship God in the prescribed way. Nevertheless, 
America was destined to be the home of Protest- 
antism ; and gradually, the shackles of the Dark 
Ages were dropped off, and the equal rights of 
mankind were acknowledged. The Constitution 
of the United States was the first document 
ever granting complete freedom of worship, and 
placing in the hands of the people the sole 
power of the government. It was a world-wide 
wonder, not the work of any man, but the cul- 
mination of those principles born in Germany in 
the sixteenth century. The Constitution was 
adopted in 1789; the sun was darkened in 1780. 
These events, taking place as they did, were as 
if God saw the end hastening on, and as a source 

-of encouragement to His followers, placed the 
sign of His approval in the heavens. A few 
years later the papal power was completely bro- 
ken, and then the countries of southern Europe, 
France, Spain, Italy, and others, were free to 
choose between the principles of the papacy and 
those of Protestantism. America responded 
with its free government. During the fifty 
years following the adoption of the principles of 
Protestantism in America, the various branches 


73 


Whoso causeth the righteous to 
go astray in an evil way, he shall 
fall himself into his own pit: but 
the upright shall have good things 
in possession. Prov. 28:10. 


When the wicked rise, men hide 
themselves: but when they perish, 
the mghteous increase. 

Prov. 28 :28. 


The anointed of the Lord, was 
taken in their pits, of whom we 
said, Under his shadow we shall 
live among the heathen. 

Lam. 4:19, 20. 


Every way of a man is right in 
his own eyes: but the Lord ponder- 
eth the hearts. Prov. 21:2. 


I beheld another beast coming up 
out of the earth; and he had two 
horns like a lamb, and he spake as 
a dragon. Rev, 13: 116 


Through wisdom is an house 
builded ; and by understanding it is 
established. Prov. 24:3. 


The nations shall see and be con- 
founded at all their might: they 
shall lay their hand upon their 
mouth, their ears shall be deaf. 

Mic. 7:16. 


In those days, after that tribula- 
tion, the sun shall be darkened, 
and the moon shall not give her 


hght. Mark 13:24. 


Luke 21:25. 
Gen. 1 tI460 


He that leadeth into captivity 
shall go into captivity: he that kill- 
eth with the sword must be killed 
with the sword. Here is the pa- 
tience and the faith of the saints, 

Rev. 13 : 10. 


The earth helped the woman, and 
the earth opened her mouth, and 
swallowed up the flood which the 
dragon cast out of his mouth 

Rev. 12: 16, 


74, STORY OF THE SEER OF PATMOS. 


Let my counsel be acceptable 
unto thee, and break off thy sins by 
righteousness, and thine iniquities 
by shewing mercy to the poor; if it 
may be a lengthening of thy tran- 
quillity. Dan. 4:27. 


T heard another voice from heaven, 
saying, Come out of her, my peo- 
ple, that ye be not partakers of her 
sins, and that ye receive not of her 
plagues, Rev. 18:4. 


If it seem evil unto you to serve 
the Lord, choose you this day whom 
ye will serve; whether the gods 
which your fathers served that were 
onthe other side of the flood, or 
the gods of the Amorites, in whose 
land ye dwell: but as for me and 
my house, we will serve the Lord. 

Josh. 24:15. 


I will make a man more precious 
than fine gold ; even a man than the 
golden wedge of Ophir. 

Isa. 13 +12. 


God, who commanded the light 
to shine out of darkness, hath 


shined in our hearts, to give the: 


light of the knowledge of the glory 
of God in the face of Jesus Christ. 
2 Cor. 4:6. 


of the Protestant church had their period of 
probation. One by one the denominations 
arose, separating farther and farther from the 
physical, intellectual, and spiritual tyranny of 
the papacy. To each denomination was offered 
the law of God and the faith of Jesus. The 

"Ser > time came 
when each 
had an oppor- - 
tunity to ac- 







Luther searching for light. 


cept or reject, as seemed good to them; but 
the decision then made, decided their eternal 
destiny. : 

In the early days of the nineteenth century 
God took a man, hitherto unacquainted with the 
Bible, and opened to him the beauties of the 
prophecies. As Luther found in Christ a Sav- 





THE MESSAGE TO THE CHURCHES. 


jour, and with the light that entered his mind, 
attacked the papacy, so William Miller, in 1818, 
saw light in the books of Daniel and Revelation. 
He studied with care the twenty-three hundred 
days, spoken of by Daniel, and became convinced 
that the second coming of Christ was near at 
hand. He applied every test, but all pointed 
forward to the year 1843 as the time when 
the world must welcome its Saviour. The con- 
dition of the people at the first advent of Christ, 
was now repeated; when the time approached 
for the message of His second coming, the 
world lay in ignorance: and not the world only, 
but the church which bore the name of Chris- 
tian. Nay, more! the very churches which 
in their zeal for truth had faced hardship and 
persecution, in protesting against the errors of 
the papacy,—these churches were quiet when 
great changes were right upon them. But unto 
the church of Sardis, John was bidden write: 
“These things saith He that hath the seven 
Spirits of God, and the seven stars; I know 
thy works, that thou hast a name that thou 
livest, and art dead.” 
He, who walked among His churches, and 
who sought diligently for signs of life, searching 
among the seven stars,—the leaders of the 
churches,—found that, although Sardis claimed 
to have life, it was dead. Strange condition! 
So quietly had this life been lost, that, looking 
back upon the activity of the past, and priding 
itself upon what great things had been done by 
Protestantism, this church had allowed the very 
principles of the papacy to twine about it until 
its life was choked. 
There was a time in the history of Pergamos, 


7% 


’ Study to shew thyself approved 
unto God, a workman that needeth 
not to be ashamed, rightly dividing 
the word of truth. 2 Tim. 2:15. 


Dan. 8:14. 
Matt. 24:33. 


Prove all things; hold fast that 
which is good. 1 Thess, 5 ‘21. 
He came unto his own, and his 
own received him not. 
John r:trr. 


I saw the wicked buried, who 
had come and gone from the place 
of the holy, and they were forgot- 
ten in the city where they had so 
done : this is also vanity. 

Eccl. 8: 10. 


And unto the angel of the church 
in Sardis write; These things saith 
he that hath the seven Spirits of 
God, and the seven stars; / know 
thy works, that thou hast a name - 
that thou livest, and art dead. 

Rev. 8:1. 


Isa. 1: 11-15. 
Matt. 6:5. 


This people draweth nigh unto 
me with their mouth, and honour- 
eth me with their lips; but their 
heart is far from me. 

Matt. 15 :8, 9. 


Know ye not, that to whom ye 
yield yourselves servants to obey, 
his servants ye are to whom ye 
obey ; whether of sin unto death, 
or of obedience unto righteousness * 

Rom, 6: 16, 


76 


Her priests have violated my law, 
and have profaned mine holy things : 
they have put no difference be- 
tween the holy and profane, neither 
have they shewed difference be- 
tween the unclean and the clean, 
and have hid their eyes from my 
sabbaths, and I am profaned among 


them. Eze. 22: 26-28, 


The heads thereof judge for re- 
ward, and the priests thereof teach 
for hire, and the prophets thereof 
divine for money: yet will they lean 
upon the Lord, and say, Is not the 
Lord among us? none evil can come 
upon us. Mic. 3:11. 


Because, even because they have 
seduced my people, saying, Peace ; 
and there was no peace; and one 
built up a wall, and, lo, others 
daubed it with untempered morter, 

Eze. 13 : 10-12. 


Be watchful, and strengthen the 
things which remain, that are 
ready to die: for! have not found 
thy works perfect before God.- 

Rev, 3:2, 


He hath shewed thee, O man, 
what is good; and what doth the 
Lord require of thee, but to do 
justly, and to love mercy, and to 
walk humbly with thy God? 

Mic. 6:8. 


Remember therefore how thou 
hast received and heard, and hold 
fast, and repent. If therefore 
thou shalt not watch, | will come 
on thee asa thief, and thou shalt 
not know what hour | will come 
upon thee, Rev, 3:3, 





STORY OF THE SEER OF PATMOS. 


when Christianity thought Paganism was dead; 
but in reality, the religion which was apparently 
vanquished, had conquered. Paganism baptized, 
stepped into the church. In the days of Sardis 
this history was Protestantism 
thought itself free from the principles of the 
Dark Ages; but the plant was sturdy and long 
lived, and although Protestantism reared itself 


repeated. 


-aloft like a mighty oak, the rootlets of the papacy 


were planted with the oak, and soon the vine 
encircled the 
tree, and sapped- 
its very life. 
Protestantism 
reared the struc- 
ture, andthe pa- * 
pacy is  sup- 
ported by it. “Be 
watchful,” says 
the divine mes- 
sage to Sardis, 
“and strengthen 
the things which 
remain, that are 
ready to die: 
for I have not found thy works perfect before 
God.” There was, at the time this message 
came, some life still in the oak, but unless haste 
was made to “strengthen the things which 
remain,’ death would follow. 

“Remember, therefore, how thou hast re- 
ceived and heard, and hold fast, and repent.” 
The truths already received were indeed life, 
but a church, as well as an individual, must 
make constant progress, or they will suffer spir- 
itual death.. 





THE MESSAGE TO THE CHURCHES. 


For nine years William Miller was convinced 
that he ought to Pive his message to the 
churches; but he waited, hoping that some rec- 
ognized authority would proclaim the glad news 
of a soon-coming Saviour. In thus waiting, he 
but proved the truth of the message; there was 
a name that they lived, but they were fast dying. 
In 1831 Miller gave his first discourse on the 
prophecies. He was a member of the Baptist 
church, and in 1833, he received from this 
church, license to preach. This was the very 
year in which appeared another sign in the 
heavens,—the third spoken of by the Saviour in 
Matthew 24:29. In November, 1833, “the 
stars of heaven fell unto the earth, even as a fig 
tree casteth her untimely figs, when she is 
shaken of a mighty wind.” God was calling to 
the dying church of Sardis by the voice of man 
and by signs in the heavens. ‘If therefore 
thou shalt not watch, I will come on thee asa 


thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will, 


come upon thee.” 
As the time, which was supposed to be the 


time of the second advent approached, men of 


learning and position helped spread the message. 
The light of this message flashed throughout 
the world. “Thou hast a few names even in 
Sardis which have not defiled their garments.” 
Three years after Miller was convinced of the 
near coming of Christ, that is, in 1821, Joseph 
Wolff, known as the “missionary to Asia,” 
began to give the same message. 
Egypt, Abyssinia, Palestine, Syria, Persia, Bok- 
hara, and India,—everywhere proclaiming the 
soon coming of the Messiah. In 1837 he was 
in America; and after preaching in several large 


He visited - 


Heb. 2:1 [margin.] 
Quench not the Spirit. 
1 Thess, 5 : 19. 


Grieve not the holy Spirit of 
God, whereby ye are sealed unto 
the day of redemption. 

Eph, 4:30. 


The remnant of Jacob shall be in 
the midst of many people as a dew 
from the Lord, as the showers upon 
the grass, that tarrieth not for man, 
nor waiteth for the sons of men. 

Mic. 5:7. 


The stars of heaven fell unto the 
earth, even as a fig tree casteth her 
untimely figs, when she is shaken 
of a mighty wind. Rey. 6:13. 





Joseph Wolff. 


That was the true Light, which 
lighteth every man that cometh into 
the world. John 1:9. 


Thou hast a few names even in 
Sardis which have not defiled their 
garments; and they shall walk 
with me in white; for they are 
worthy. Rev. 8:4, 


Go ye therefore, and teach all na- 
tions, baptizing them in the name 
of the Father, and of the Son, and 
of the Holy Ghost. Matt.28:19, 


78 


The Lord said unto him, Go thy 
way : for he isa chosen vessel unto 
me, to bear my name before the 
Gentiles, and kings, and the chil- 
dren of Israel. Acts 9:15. 


How hear we every man in our 
own tongue, wherein we were born? 
Cretes and Arabians, we do hear 
them speak in our tongues the 
wonderful works of God. 
Acts 2:8, 11. 





William Miller. 


Said unto him, Hearest thou 
what these say? And Jesus saith 
unto them, Yea ; have ye never read, 
Out of the mouth of babes and suck- 
lings thou hast perfected praise ? 

Matt. 21: 16. 


Saying to the sixth angel whch 
had the trumpet, Loose the four 
angels which are bound in the great 
river Euphrates. 

And the four angels were loosed, 
which were prepared for an hour, 
and a day, and a month, and a 
year, for to slay the third part of 
men, Rev. 9:14, 15. 


Blow ye the trumpet in Zion, and 
sound an alarm in my holy moun- 
tain: let all the inhabitants of the 
land tremble: for the day of the 
Lord cometh, for it is nigh at hand. 

Joel 2:1. 


STORY OF THE SEER OF PATMOS. 


cities, he visited Washington, where, in the 
presence of all the members of the Congress of 
the United States, he preached on the personal 
reign of Christ. 

In England the same message was given by 
Edward Irving, a minister of the Church of 
England. South America heard of Christ’s soon 
coming from the pen of Lacunza, formerly a 
Spanish - Jesuit. Gaussen, finding that many 
mature minds claimed that prophecy could not 
be interpreted, gave the message of the soon 
coming of Christ to the children of Geneva. In 
Scandinavia, the truth was proclaimed by chil- 
dren; for God used child-preachers, when older 
persons were restricted by law. 

In 1838 Josiah Litch and William Miller 
published an exposition of the ninth chapter of 
Revelation, in which it was predicted that the 
Ottoman Empire would fall in 1840. The exact 
fulfillment of this prophecy on August 11, 1840, 
when the Turkish government surrendered its 
independence, and has since been known as 
“the sick man of the East,” was a startling 
proof to many that prophecy could be under- 
stood, and that men were living in the end of 
time. 

This message of the personal appearance of 
Christ was one of the most world-wide proclam- 
ations ever given. Every kindred, nation, and 
people were suddenly aroused from their lethargy 
by the cry,—‘ Behold the Bridegroom cometh, go 
ye out tomeet Him.” This truth is inseparably 
connected with the wording of the message to 
Sardis. ‘Thou hast a few names even in Sar- 
dis which have not defiled their garments ; and 
they shall walk with Me in white: for they are 


THE MESSAGE TO THE CHURCHES. 


worthy.” The very sins of idolatry and fornica- 
tion, which characterized the mother church in 
the days of Thyatira, were staining the garments 
of her daughters during the Sardis period. But 
“he that overcometh, the same shall be clothed 
in white raiment.” The white raiment is the 
righteousness of Christ,—“the fine linen clean 
and white.” ‘And I will not blot out his name 
out of the book of life, but I will confess his 
name before My Father, and before His angels.” 
A most precious promise, and a most solemn 





Sardis. 


Present state. 


warning, are combined in these closing words of 
the message to Sardis, The second coming of 
the Son of man had been proclaimed to all the 
world. To him that accepted truth, it was 
promised that his name should remain in the 


book of life, and should be confessed in the 


presence of God. The books of heaven are 
opened. Christ promises to witness for all who 
are true to His cause on earth. The church of 
Sardis lived in the period when Daniel saw 


79 


Woe unto you, scribes and Phari- 
sees, hypocrites! because ye build 
the tombs of the prophets, and gar- 
nish the sepulchres of the right- 
eous, 

And say, If we had been in the 
days of our fathers, we would not 
have been partakers with them in 
the blood of the prophets. 

Matt. 23 :29-32. 


Acts 7 $52, 53. 
Rev. 19:8. 
Isa. 61: 10. 


He that overcometh, the same 
shall be clothed in white raiment; 
and / will not blot out his name 
out of the book of life, but | will 
confess his name before my Fa- 
ther, and before his angels. 

Rev. 8:6. 


Isa. 4:3 [margin.] 
Rev. 3:5. 
Luke g: 26. 


I saw another angel fly in the 
midst of heaven, having the ever- 
lasting gospel to preach unto them 
that dwell on the earth, and to every 
nation, and kindred, and tongue, 
and people. Rev. 14:6, 


Matt. 10:33. 
Mark 8:34. > 


A fiery stream issued and came 
forth from before him: thousand 
thousands ministered unto him, and 
ten thousand times ten thousand 


_stood before him: the judgment was 


set, and the books were opened. 
Dan. 7:9, 10. 


80 STORY 


Isawin the night visions, and, 
behold, one like the Son of man 
came with the clouds of heaven, 
and came to the Ancient of days, 
and they brought him near before 
him. Dan. 7:13, 14. 


For Christ is not entered into the 
holy places made with hands, which 
are the figures of the true ; but into 
heaven itself, now to appear in the 
presence of God for us. 

Heb. 9:24. 


The books were opened : and an- 
other book was opened, which is 
the book of life : and the dead were 
judged out of those things which 
were written in the books, accord- 
ing to their works. Rev. 20:12. 


Matt. 22: 9-14. 
Rev. 6:11. 


Into the second went the high 
priest alone once every year, not 
without blood, which he offcred for 
himself, and for the errors of the 
people. Heb. 9:7. 
Heb. 8:5. 


Every man that hath this hope in 
him purifieth himself, even as he is 
pure. 1 John 3 :3. 
mibetin sae 
Isa. 25 29. 


Which hope we have as an an- 
chor of the soul, both sure and 
steadfast, and which entereth into 
that within the veil ; 

Whither the forerunner is for us 
entered, even Jesus, made an high 
priest for ever after the order of 
Melchisedec. Heb. 6: 19, 20. 


Heb. 7 :24, 25. 


He that hath an ear, let him 
hear what the Spirit saith unto 
the churches, Rev. 8:6. 


OF THE SEER OF PATMOS: 


“One like the Son of man [who] came . . . 
to the Ancient of Days.” It was at the end of 
the twenty-three hundred days of Daniel 8:14, 
that Christ was brought in before the Father. He 
entered the Holy of Holies in the sanctuary 
above. ‘The judgment was set, and the books 
were opened.” Then there came before Him all 
who had ever named the name of Christ, and to 
those whose garments were unspotted, was given 
the fine linen of Christ’s righteousness. 

This great change in the heavenly sanctuary, 
corresponding to the entering in of the high 
priest in the earthly, or typical service, on the 
day of atonement, was made known to the 
church of Sardis. Those who opened the 
prophecies where this truth is made known, 
misinterpreted the cleansing of the sanctuary to 
be the second coming of Christ. | Nevertheless, 
while mistaken in the event which transpired, 
they were not mistaken in the time; and the 
heart cleansing necessary to prepare a people 
for the beginning of the investigative judgment, 
which has been going on in heaven since 1844, 
is the same preparation necessary to welcome 
the Son of God in the clouds of heaven. Al- 
though Christ did not then come to the earth,— 
the outer court of the heavenly sanctuary,—but 
entered within the most holy place before the 
Ancient of Days, to act as mediator in the inves- 
tigative judgment, the message to prepare for 
His coming, will continue to the end of time. 
Some of those who witnessed the signs given to 
Sardis and listened to the advent message, will 
see Him when He comes in the clouds of heaven. 
So near is Sardis to the end. 





THE MESSAGE TO THE CHURCHES. 





Present state. 


Philadelphia. 


PHILADELPHIA. 

The Saviour, walking in the church of Sardis, 
found a few whose garments were undefiled. 
They were those in whom life remained after 
the body was dead; and to these the call came 
to separate from the lifeless form, that their 
own life might be saved. The message of 
the soon coming of Christ was a universal mes- 
sage. It offered an opportunity to all to repent, 
and as many as believed, took up the cry with 
the enthusiasm which characterized the Apostolic 
Church. They were experiencing their “first 
love,’ and those who welcomed Christ were 
bound together with a love surpassing that of 
Jonathan for David. The oneness of spirit which 
Christ prayed might be found among His follow- 
ers was more perfectly developed among those 

6 


8I 





Though ye have lien among the 
pots, yet shall ye be as the wings of 
a dove covered with silver, and her 
feathers with yellow gold. 

Psa. 68 233. 


Depart ye, depart ye, go ye out 
from thence, touch no unclean 
thing; go ye out of the midst of 
her; be ye clean, that bear the 
vessels of the Lord. Isa. 52:11. 


Jer. 51:6, 45. 
Rev. 14:6. 


Repent ye therefore, and be con- 
verted, that your sins may be blot- 
ted out, when the times of refresh- 
ing shail come from the presence of 
the Lord. Acts 3 : 19. 


Thou art beautiful, O my love, 
as Tirzah, comely as Jerusalem, 
terrible as an army with banners. 

Song Sol. 6:4. 


$2. STORY 


Jesus answered them and said, 
Verily, verily, I say unto you, Ye 
seek me, not because ye saw the 
miracles, but because ye did eat of 
the loaves, and were filled. 


John 6 : 26, 
Behold, thou art fair, my beloved, 
yea, pleasant. Song Sol. 1: 16. 


Now ye are the body of Christ, 
and members in particular. 
1 Cor, 12:27. 
Dan. 7:13. 
And to the angel of the church 
in Philadelphia write; These 


things saith he that is holy, he 
that is true, he that hath the key 
of David, he that openeth, and no 
man shutteth; and shutteth, and 
Rev, 3: 7. 


no man openeth. 





The glory of God appeared in 
the shekinah above the mercy 
seat. 

Speak unto Aaron thy brother, 
that he come not at all times into 
the Roly place within the vail be- 
fore the mercy seat, which is upon 
the ark; that he die not: for I will 
appear in the cloud upon the mercy 
seat. Lev. 16:2. 

The temple of God was opened in 
heaven, and there was seen in his 
temple the ark of his testament: 
and there were lightnings, and 
voices, and thunderings, and an 
earthquake, and great hail. 

Rey, 11:19. 


OF THE SEER OF PATMOS. 


who heeded the closing message to Sardis, than 
among any others since the day of Pentecost ; 
and to this company of believers scattered every- 
where, yet united in heart and purpose, the name 
Philadelphia signifying “brotherly love” is ap- 
plicable. 

Some who heard the advent message, accepted 
it through fear; others were attracted by the 
forcible arguments ; but whatever may have been 
the motive, all were tested, and those who ac- 
cepted because of real love for the Saviour, com- 
posed the Philadelphia church. Of this church 
no complaint is made; and as love is the ruling 
power of the throne of God, the Saviour appears 
to recognize the Philadelphian church as a part 
of His own being,—heirs with Christ of the 
everlasting promises made to David. These 
things saith He that is holy, He that is true, He 
that hath the key of David.” 

When the call was made, saying, “the Bride- 
groom cometh,” Christ, the Heavenly Bride- 
groom, passed into the presence of His Father, 
there to receive dominion and power ; anda door 
in heaven was opened to the faithful and true 
ones on earth. This door was the entrance into 
the most holy place in the temple, where Jehovah 
sat enthroned over the mercy seat. He is sur- 
rounded by His angels, and the law of God is 
the foundation of His throne. This was shown 
in type and shadow in the tabernacle, built by 
Moses. To Israel in the wilderness, the glory 
of God appeared in the shekinah above the 
mercy seat. The attention of the Philadelphian 
church is directed to the heavenly sanctuary. 
It was opened by the Saviour Himself, as He 
entered the most holy place at the close of the 





THE MESSAGE TO THE CHURCHES. 


twenty-three hundred days. He sends the mes- 
sage to all, “I have set before thee an open 
door, and no man can shut it2’ Thedoor stands 
open to all, who by faith, will enter, and no com- 
bination of circumstances, instigated by men or 
demons, can shut out the soul that keeps the eye 
of faith centered upon the Saviour within that shin- 
ing portal. The time of test for those who were 
looking for their Lord, came in the autumn of 
1844. At first the expiration of the twenty-three 
hundred days was thought to be in the spring of 
1844. On further investigation, it was found 
that the decree of Artaxerxes, from which the 
prophetic period is reckoned, went into effect in 
the autumn of the year 457 B. c.; hence, this reck- 
oning would cause those days to expire in the 
autumn of 1844.4.D. Here wasa waiting time, in 
which those who loved the Lord, prepared, by deep 
heart searching, to receive Him. Many inquired, 
«‘What must I do to be saved?” Those who 
were looking upward received the light of the in- 
vestigative judgment, when, in the autumn of 
1844, the door in heaven opened, and Christ ap- 
proached the Father. But many who had only 
professed to believe in the advent, changed when 
the time passed and He did not come, and now 
scoffed at those who still clung to the message, 
“Fear God, and give glory to Him ; for the hour 
of His judgment is come.’’ The heavenly door 
opened, but those who turned back to the world 
were left in darkness; while those who sought 
earnestly for their mistake in interpreting proph- 
ecy, received a flood of light, straight from the 
throne. Through this open door in the heavenly 
temple, there was seen “the ark of His testa- 


ment,” containing the ten commandments: and 


83 


Now of the things which we have 
spoken this is the sum: We have 
such an high priest, who is seton 
the right hand of the throne of 
the Majesty in the heavens. 

Heb. 8:1. 


1 know thy works: behold, | have 
set before thee an open door, and 
no man can shut it: for thou hast 
a little strength, and hast kept 
my word, and hast not denied my 
name, Rev. 3:8. 


All thine enemies have opened 
their mouth against thee : they hiss 
and gnash the teeth: theysay, We 
have swallowed her up: certainly 
this is the day that we looked for; 
we have found, we have seen it. 

Lam, 2:16. 


John 10:28, 29. 
Jude 24. 

Heb. 12:27. 

Dan. 8:14. 

Dan. 8 : 16-27. 

Dan. 9: 20-27. 

Ezra 7: 11-26. 

John 1:41 [margin] 
Luke 3 :21, 22. : 
Acts 10:38. 

Acts 3:4. 

Ezra 7:9. 

Dan. 9:25. 

Matt. 25:7. 

Heb. 10:32-34. 


From that time many of his dis- 
ciples went back, and walked no 
more with him. John 6:6. 


2 Pet. 3:3, 4 
Rev. 14:6, 7. 
Matt. 25 : 10. 
Matt. 6:23. 
x Pet. 3:15. 
Psa. 119 : 105- 
Rev. 111g 


84 


Ex, 31:18, 
Ex. 32 215. 
Deut. 1021-5. 
Ex. 4073. 
Heb. g:2-5. 

1 John 5:3. 





Every open door should be a 
reminder of the heavenly door 
opencd by Christ, which no 
man can close. 


Making the word of God of none 
effect through your tradition, which 
ye have delivered: and many such 
like things do ye. Mark 7 : 13. 


If thou turn away thy foot from 
the sabbath, from doing thy pleas- 
ure on my holy day; and call the 
sabbath a delight, the holy of the 
Lord, honourable ; and shalt hon- 
our him, not doing thine own ways, 
nor finding thine own pleasure, nor 
speaking thine own words: 

Then shalt thou delight thyself in 
the Lord. Isa. 58:13, 14. 


Behold, | will make them of the 
synagogue of Satan, which say 
they are Jews, and are not, but do 
lie; behold, | will make them to 
come and worship before thy feet, 
and to know that / have loved 
thee. Rev, 3:9, 


STORY OF THE SEER OF PATMOS. 


from that time, the Sabbath of the Fourth Com- 
mandment became a test to the people of God. 
The God who had led His people thus far, was 
still leading them by His Word. Many precious 
rays of light that had been hidden by tradition 
during the Dark Ages, now opened up to their 
understanding. The Sabbath reform now be- 
came the message to the world. The traditions 
which connected the Philadelphian church with 
the Dark Ages, were portrayed in vivid colors; 
and man was called to exalt the law of God, and ~ 
remove his foot from desecrating the Sabbath of 
Jehovah. Hitherto, all the Protestant churches 
opened their doors to receive the message; but 
when the Sabbath truth was proclaimed, the 
churches closed their doors against those who 
accepted the new doctrine. When the door in 
heaven opened, the doors of the Protestant 
churches closed. Every open door should bea 
reminder of the heavenly door opened by Christ, 
which no man can close, from whose portals 
shines forth a stream of light upon the pathway 
of all whose minds are staid upon Him. Those 
who forsook the new light, that came with the 
“open door,” are referred to as those “of the 
synagogue of Satan, which say they are Jews, 
and are not.”’ 

As the Jewish nation, at the first advent, 
turned from the Saviour, and rejected the Son of 
God, so many in 1844 crucified the Son of man 
afresh. But He will one day be lifted up in the 
eyes of all men; and those who have followed 
close beside Him, entering by faith, within the 
second veil, will be seated on thrones and will 
reign with Him. To the disciples in Geth- 
semane, was given an opportunity to drink of the 


THE MESSAGE TO THE CHURCHES. 


cup of which He drank. To the faithful ones in 
1844, it was, likewise, given to drink of the cup 
of the world’s scorn. To such is the promise, 
« Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, 
Lalso will keep thee from the hour of temptation, 
which shall come upon all the world, to try them 
that dwell upon the earth.” Before His second 
coming, there will be such a time as the world 
has never seen. God’s people will be saved from 
this; for He will hide them in His “pavilion.” 
«Here is the patience of the saints: here are 
they that keep the commandments of God, and 
the faith of Jesus.” Patience will be ‘developed 
“by keeping the commandments and by clinging 
to the faith of Jesus. If He tarry, wait for Him ; 
for He says to Philadelphia, “ Behold, I come 
quickly.” 

To the faithful in Thyatira, the angel said, 
«That which ye have already, hold fast till I 
come.” To Philadelphia came the _ words, 
« Hold that fast which thou hast, that no man 
take thy crown.” The people in Thyatira may 
have had but a few rays of light, compared with 
those living in the later period; for the light was 
but dawning in Thyatira, while its midday rays 
shone in Philadelphia; but the crown is the re- 


ward of character, and he who receives one, will - 


have been faithful to all the light which shone 
upon his pathway. Heaven can be enjoyed by 
those only, who have developed a character in 
harmony with the truth. Every man isa candi- 
date, but only he who striveth lawfully, will in- 
herit the crown. It belongs to him who receives 
a white stone with a new name. For six thou- 
sand years the angelic hosts have been watching 
for the circle of perfection -to be completed, 


85 


Because thou hast kept the word 
of my patience, | also wiil keep 
thee from the hour of temptation, 
which shall come upon all the 
world, to try them that dwell 
upon the earth. Rev, 8:10. 


Dan. 12:1. 
Jers307~ 





Patience will be developed by 
keeping the commandments. 


For in the time of trouble he shall 
hide me in his pavilion; in the 
secret of his tabernacle shall he hide 
me; he shall set me up upon a 


rock, Psa. 2735. 
Rev. 14:12. 
Behold, | come quickly: hold 


that fast which thou hast, that 
no man take thy crewn. 
Rev. 3:11. 





The crown is 
the reward 
of character. 


For as many as have sinned with- 
out law shall also perish without 
Jaw : and as many as have sinned 
in the law shall be judged by the 
law. Rom, 2:12. 


88 STORY 


Lam. 5 :6. 

Isa. 1:9. 

Rev. 12:17. 

Usaors san 

They regard not the work of the 
Lord, neither consider the opera- 
tion of his hands. Isa. 5:12. 


1 know thy works, that thou art 
neither cold nor hot: | would thou 
wert cold or hot. Rev. 3:16. 


When pride cometh, then cometh 
shame: but with the lowly is wis- 
dom, Prov. 11:2. 


Rom. 8:22. 


The devil is come down unto you, 
having great wrath, because he 
knoweth that he hath but a short 
time. Rey, 12:12, 


2 Thess, 2:9, 10. 
Gen, 19: 16. 
Rev. 7 1-3. 
Heb. 1:14. 

Gen. 33:14 
Rev. 1:13. 

Rev. 2:1. 

Deut. 3 : 28. 


Walk while ye have the light, 
lest darkness come upon you: for 
he that walketh in darkness know- 
eth not whither he goeth. 

John 12 :35. 

What man is there that is fearful 
and fainthearted? let him go and 
return, unto his house, lest his 
brethren’s heart faint as well as his 
heart, Deut. 20:8. 

His word was in mine heart asa 
burning fire shut up in my bones, 


and I was weary with forbearing, 


and I could not stay. Jer. 20:9. 


Matt. 26:51-55. 
2 Sam, 7 : 1-13. 


So thenbecause thou art luke- 
warm, and neither cold nor hot, / 
will spew thee out of my mouth. 

Rev, 3:16. 


Jer. 3 : 32-36. 


OF THE SEER OF PATMOS,. 


as given in the fourteenth chapter of Revelation. 

Upon this last church—the remnant,—shine 
the accumulated rays of all past ages. It isa 
church highly favored, and one of which heaven 
and earth have a right to expect great things. But 
like the churches of the past, it has disappointed 
heaven, and Christ sorrowfully says of them, “I 
know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor 
hot.” Spiritual pride is the worst of evils, and 
the hardest to reach. Heaven and earth are 
waiting for the closing up of history. The 
climax has been reached in the controversy. 
Satan is preparing for the final struggle. The 
armory of heaven awaits the signal of its Leader. 
The church of God on earth, is the only object 
which can retard the progress of events. It 
becomes the center of interest for the universe. 
The Saviour still bids the hosts hold till the 
servants of God are sealed. Angels are hurry- 
ing to and fro between heaven and earth, but 
God will go no faster than His church. For 
centuries He has walked with it, holding its star 
in His right hand. Every encouragement has 
been offered to speed the work; but when the 
church hesitates, He goes no faster than it can 
go, lest the light be so far in advance that His 
followers will lose their way. 

A spirit of lukewarmness rests upon God’s 
people. Says the Witness, “I would thou wert 
cold or hot.” If very cold, something could 
warm them, or if too hot, their ardor could be 
controlled; but **because thou art lukewarm, 
and neither cold nor hot, I will spew thee out of 
My mouth.” There is danger that those who 
have seen the signs of His coming; those who 
have heard the advent message, and have fol- 


SHE MESSAGE TO THE CHURCHES: 


lowed in the light which shone from the open 
door: and those who have sacrificed for the 
cause in many ways, will, near the close, when 
just about ready to receive the crown, rest satis- 
fied in their past experiences. They say they 
are “rich, and increased with goods, and have 
need of nothing;” and forget that he who receives 
most, is accountable for the most. “And know- 
est noc that thou art wretched, and miserable, 
and poor, and blind, and naked.” Think of it. 
He who prides himself on his wealth is, in the 
eyes of heaven, poverty-stricken, blind and 
naked. Heaven pities such a church, and the 
true Witness, who longs to plead for, and not 
against them, in the presence of the angels, 
counsels them, “Buy of Me gold tried in the 
fire, that thou mayest be rich.” Faith and love 
is the wealth offered by Christ, and with these 
the possessor can purchase the treasures of 
heaven. ‘Buy of Me white raiment, that thou 
mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy 
nakedness do not appear.” The raiment offered 
is the righteousness of Christ. It is a garment 
of light, which will attract the world to Christ. 
This will clothe all the redeemed who are living 
on the earth when Christ appears. It is a 
reflection of the holiness of God, and comes to 
him only, who lives in constant communication 
with the Lord of Life. The life of him who is in 
touch with heaven, is like the glow of the incan- 
descent light. When this counsel is heeded, the 
“loud cry” of Revelation 18:1 will sound 
throughout the world. 

“‘T counsel thee to anoint thine eyes with eye- 
salve, that thou mayest see.” The oil for 
anointing, is the oil of His grace, which will give 


89 


Therefore thus saith the Lord, If 
thou return, then will I bring thee 
again, and thou shalt stand before 
me : and if thou take forth the pre- 
cious from the vile, thou shalt be 
as my mouth ;: let them return unto 
thee ; but return not thou unto 
them. Jer. 15:19. 


Mark 10:31. 
Luke 12 : 47, 48. 
Hosea 12:8. 


Because thou sayest, | am rich, 
and increased with goods, and 
have need of nothing; and know- 
est not that thou art wretched, and 
miserable, and poor, and blind, and 
naked. Rev. 3:17. 


Now ye are full, now ye are rich, 
ye have reigned as kings without 
us: and I would to God ye did 
reign, that we also might reign 
with you. 1 Cor. 4:8. 


Hosea 12 14. 


The Lord said unto Satan, The 
Lord rebuke thee, O Satan ; even 
the Lord that hath chosen Jerusa- 
lem rebuke thee: is not this a 
brand plucked out of the fire? 

Zech. 3 : 1-6. 


Prov. 8: 18-21. 
Rev. 19:8. 


If so be that being clothed we 
shall not be found naked. 
2 Cor. 5:3. 


2 Cotas 2s 
2 Cor. 4: 4-6. 
2 Cor. 3: 18. 


/ counsel thee to buy of me gold 
tried in the fire, that thou mayest 
be rich; and white raiment, that 
thou mayest be clothed, and that 
the shame of thy nakedness do not 
appear; and anoint thine eyes 
with eyesalue, that thou mayest 
see. Rev, 3:78, 


Psa. 10432. 


All that sat in the council, look- 
ing steadfastly on him, saw his face 
as it had been the face of an angel. 

Acts 6:15. 

As truly asI live, all the earth 

shall be filled with the glory of the 


Lord, Num, 14 : 20, 21. 


go STORY 


Then shall ye return, and discern 
between the righteous and the 
wicked, between him that serveth 
God and him that serveth him not. 

Mal. 3 : 18, 


For there shall arise false Christs, 
and false prophets, and shall shew 
great signs and wonders ; insomuch 
that, if it were ‘possible, they shall 
deceive the very elect. 

Matt. 24:24. 

For which things’ sake the wrath 
of God cometh on the children of 
disobedience. Col. 3:6. 

Luke 1:17. 

Cast away from you all your 
transgressions, whereby ye have 
transgressed ; and make you a new 
heart and a new spirit: for why 
will ye die, O house of Israel? 

Eze. 18:31. 
The harvest is past, the summer 
is ended, and we are not saved. 
Jer. 8: 20, 
Rev. 22:11, 12. 
Rey. 22:10, 


As many as I “love, 1 rebuke and 


chasten: be zealous therefore, 
and repent. Rev. 3:19. 
John 16 :8, 9. 


Ye have set at nought all my 
counsel, and would none of my re- 
proof. Prov. 1:25. 

John 17 :23. 

Song Sol. 5:2. 


Behold / stand at the door, and 
knock : if any man hear my voice, 
and open the door, / will come in 
to him, and will sup with him, and 
he with me. Rev. 3:20. 


Which doeth great things past 
finding out ; yea, and wonders with- 
out number. Job. 9:10. 


To him that overcometh will I 
grant to sit with me in my throne, 
evenas / also overcame, and am 
set down with my Father in his 
throne. Rev, 3: 21, 


He that hath an ear, let him 
hear what the Spirit saith unto 
the churches. Rev, 3:22, 


OF THE SEER OF PATMOS. 


spiritual eyesight to the soul in blindness and 
darkness, that he may distinguish between the 
workings of the Spirit of God and those of the 
spirit of the enemy. The way which these souls 
must travel, is a narrow way. Satan, as his 
time grows short, uses every device to deceive, 
if possible, the very elect ; and as his deceptions 
become more delusive, only those eyes which are 
anointed with the oil of grace, can discern the 
spirits, The heavenly Merchantman opens His 
wares, and counsels us to buy of Him. He 
addresses these who have lost their first love, 
those who have lost their zeal and interest in 
spiritual things, and urges them to buy of the 
heavenly store. Many will be reproved for the 
sins mentioned in the Laodicean message, and 
such reproofs, unheeded, will cause those to be 
shaken out who are unwilling to receive the 
reproof of the Spirit. 

Eternal interests are at stake; the time of 
probation is almost over; and Christ, as if loath 
to lose one single soul, reproves and rebukes, 
that sin may be discarded. There is no other 
time for preparation, for the Laodicean message 
covers ecclesiastical history to the very end of 
time. “Asmany as I love, I rebuke and chasten: 
be zealous therefore, and repent.” 

To those hearts that have not yet admitted 
Christ as the one Ruler in the soul-temple, He 
says, ‘Behold, I stand at the door, and knock.” 
He does not force Himself in, although His own 
heart is breaking over our hardness. He pleads 
in gentleness, and if allowed to enter, in the 
capacity of an intimate friend, He will sup with 
us. The very closest relationship is seen to- 
exist between God and His remnant church. It 


, DHE, MESSAGE TO, THE, CHURCHES. 


is asa brand plucked from the burn- 
ing. Weak, trembling, and sin- 
laden, this remnant of the race, is 
taken by the Saviour to sit with 
Him on His throne, even as He 
overcame, and sat down on the throne 
of the Father. Angels see the place, 
made vacant by the fall of Lucifer, 
filled by those whom sin had marred 
and defaced more than any other race. 
The Majesty of heaven reaches to the 
lowest depths of earth, and exalts man 
to the highest place in heaven,—a 
seat beside the King on His throne. 
The redeemed occupy a position 
nearer the Creator than they could 
have occupied, had there been no 
sin. Such is the wondrous love 
of Christ! To-day angels and in- 
habitants of unfallen worlds are 
watching the consummation of the 
plan. We who live to-day are the 
objects of their interest. “He 
that hath an ear, let him hear 
what the Spirit saith unto the 
churches.” 


** Behold I stand at the 
door and knock.”’ 





OI 








CHAPTER Y: 


A GLIMPSE OF HEAVEN. 


For he endured, as seeing him 
who is invisible. Heb, x1 :27. 


John 14:21. 
John 17 : 20-23. 


% £ SaSong Sol. 2: 16. 


Many waters cannot quench love, 
neither can the floods drown it: if 
a man would give all the substance 
of his house for love, it would ut- 
terly be contemned. 

Song Sol. 8:6, 7. 


After this | looked, and, behold, 
a door was opened in heaven: and 
the first voice which | heard was 
as it were of a trumpet talking 
with me, which said, Come up 
hither, and / will shew thee things 
which must be hereafter. 

Rev, 4:1. 


Acts 7:55, 56. 
~ Tn all their affliction he was af- 


flicted. Isa. 63 :9. 


He that toucheth you toucheth 
the apple of his eye. Zech. 2:8. 


Rev. 1 : 10. 


Q2 


SouL communion with the Redeemer was 
sweet to the prophet John, as he lived alone on 
Patmos; and the actual meeting with Christ in 
that first vision, which opened before his mind 
the future history of the church, had drawn him 
very near to the object of his love. “After this 
I looked, and, behold, a door was opened in 
heaven.” Stephen, while men were killing the 
body, looked, and the heavens opened; and he 
said, “Behold, Isee . . . the Son of man 
standing on the right hand of God.” As>Christ 
rose in sympathy with that suffering disciple, so 
the yearning felt by John, touched the heart 
of Christ, and the prophet heard again the 
trumpet tone saying, “Come up hither, and I 
will show thee things which must be hereafter.” 

Only the spiritual eye can gaze on things of 
God ; and few mortals have allowed the spiritual 
side of their natures to be developed until it - 
is possible to leave earthly scenes, and view 
the realms above. John was one, who, when 
God said “Come,” could go. Ezekiel was an- 


A GLIMPSE OF HEAVEN. 


other who had the privilege of visiting heaven ; 
and he describes, as best the human language 
can portray, the glories of the throne of God. 
When Christ called, Gabriel conducted John 
into the sanctuary above, into the very presence 
of Jehovah. He says, “Immediately I was in 
the Spirit: and, behold, a throne was set in 
heaven, and One sat on the throne.” “A glori- 
ous high throne from the beginning is the place 
of our sanctuary.” As Moses, before the burn- 
ing bush, was commanded to take off his shoes ; 
“‘for,” said the Lord, “the place whereon thou 
standest is holy ground;” so one feels to step 
lightly when in the presence of the scenes which 
John portrays. 
‘Heaven, from whatever standpoint it may be 
This 
plan is the one all-absorbing theme of the uni- 
verse of God; and heaven reflects it in all its 
works. 


viewed, presents the plan of Redemption. 


Only the sinful heart of man, is unmind- 
ful of the work of God in overcoming the effects 
of the fall. The things presented to John show 
' that the activity of the heavenly beings is spent 
in the service of man. ‘He that sat was to look 


upon like a jasper and a sardine stone: and there > 


was a rainbow round about the throne, in sight 
like unto an emerald.” The light of the glory 
of God, as it shines in the face of Jesus Christ, 
is a light of dazzling whiteness, its rays are un- 
broken. 

The rainbow in the clouds is but a symbol of 
the rainbow which has encircled the throne from 
eternity. Back in the ages, which finite mind 
cannot fathom, the Father and Son were alone 
in the universe. Christ was the first begotten 
of the Father, and to Him Jehovah made known 


93 


Rom. 11 : 33, 34+ 


How that he was caught up into 
paradise, and heard unspeakable 
words, which it is not lawful for a 
man to utter. 2i Cor. 1253), 4. 


And immediately / was in the 
spirit: and, behold, a throne was 
set in heaven, and one sat onthe 


throne. Rev, 4:2. 
ere muyete 
Ex, 332-5. 


Who is able to stand before this 
holy Lord God? and to whom shall 
he go up from us? 

r Sam. 6 : 20. 

Num. 4:5, 19, 20. 

2) Sam. 627-15. 

1 Kings 21 : 27. 

Heb, 12 :29. 

God commendeth his love toward 
us, in that, while we were yet sin- 
ners, Christ died for us. 

Rom. 5:8. 

We are made a spectacle unto 
the world, and to angels, and to 


men. ~ Cor. 459. 


Heb. 1: 14. 

The ox knoweth his owner, and 
the ass his master’s crib : but Israel 
doth not know, my people doth not 
consider. Isa. 1:3. 

The living creatures ran and re- 
turned as the appearance of a flash 
of lightning. Eze. 1:14. 

Dan. 9 :20-23. 


And he that sat was to look 
upon like a jasper and a sardine 
stone; and there was a rainbow 
round about the throne, in sight 
like untoanemerald. Rev, 4:38. 


2 Cor. 4:4. 
Eze. 1:28. 
Matt. 17: 1-3. 
Luke 9g : 28, 29. 
Rev. ro:1. 


And above the firmament that was 
over their heads was the likeness of 
a throne, as the appearance ofa 
sapphire stone : and upon the like- 
ness of the throne was the likeness 
as the appearance of a man above 
uponit, Eze. 1:26, 27. 


94 STORY 


I do set my bow in the cloud, 
and it shall be for a token of a cov- 
enant between me and the earth, 

Gen. 9: 13. 


Even he shall build the temple of 
the Lord; and he shall bear the 
glory, and shall sit and rule upon 
his throne ; and he shall be a priest 
upon his throne: and the counsel 
of peace shall be between them 
both, Zech, 6:12, 13. 


And God said, Let us make man 
in our image, after our likeness. 
Gen. 1:26. 


Who verily was foreordained be- 
fore the foundation of the world, 
but was manifest in these last times 
for you. 1 Pet. 1: 19, 20. 


2 Tim. 1 9g, 10. 
Eph. 1:4, 5. 
Heb. 1:13, 14. 
Rev. 5:7. 

Isa. 1412-14. 


Col. 1:20. 
Col. 1: 14-17. 
Heb. 13 :20. 


Iam inthe Father, and the Fa- 
ther in me: the words that I speak 
unto you I speak not of myself: 
but thé Father that dwelleth in me, 
he doeth the works. John 14:10. 


But made himself of no reputa- 
tion, and took upon him the form 
of a servant, and was made in the 
likcness of men. Phil. 2:6-11. 


Rom. 8 : 22, 23. 


For the stone shall cry out of the 
wall, and the beam out of the tim- 
ber shall answerit. Hab, 2:11. 


Josh. 24:27. 
Rev, 21 19-21. 


OF THE SEER OF PATMOS. 


the divine plan of Creation. The plan of the 
creation of worlds was unfolded, together with 
the order of beings which should people them. 
Angels, as representatives of one order, would 
be ministers of the God of the universe. The 
creation of our own little world, was included in 
the deep-laid plans. The fall of Lucifer was 
foreseen ; likewise the possibility of the intro- 
duction of sin, which would mar the perfection 
of the divine handiwork. It was then, in those 
early councils, that Christ’s heart of love was 
touched; and the only begotten Son pledged 
His life to redeem man, should he yield and fall. 
Father and Son, surrounded by impenetrable 
glory, clasped hands. It was in appreciation of 
this offer, that upon Christ was bestowed creative 
power, and the everlasting covenant was made; 
and henceforth Father and Son, with one mind, 
worked together to complete the work of creation. 
Sacrifice of self for the good of others was- the 
foundation of it all. As angels came into being 
at the command of Jehovah, heaven was so 
arranged that the plan of salvation could be read 
by them in everything. Thearrangement of the 
angels in their work about the throne, is a 
picture of the redeeming love of God. Angelic 
beings know nothing different. Thusall heaven 
waits for the redemption of man. Even the 
stones which compose the foundation walls, have 
voices which speak of the atonement. The 
colors reflected from every object in the heavenly 
court speak louder of the power and infinite 
mercy of God than mortal tongue can speak. 
Human language cannot tell the story. It is 
beyond description. Throughout eternity, as 
one thing after another reveals the love of the 





A GLIMPSE OF HEAVEN. 


Father, the redeemed, like the living creatures 
now about the throne, will sing, «Holy, holy, 
holy” - Upon the face of our own world, is 
reflected this story ; for nature is “the mirror of 
divinity ;’ but man is blind, and he misinterprets 
those things which point unmistakably to a God 
of love. The purpose of this revelation of Jesus 
Christ to the apostle John is to show men how 
near God is to the creatures of His hand; that 
Jehovah’s voice may be heard explaining the 
plan of Redemption. 

As a token of the covenant be- 
tween Father and Son, the bow was 


E =a ea : 
placed about the throne. “Justice and | mis 


judgment are the habitation of thy | 
throne: mercy and truth shall go be- F 
fore thy face,” for “mercy and truth | 
are met together ; righteousness and } 
peace have kissed each other.” After 
the flood, the rainbow in the cloud was 4 
but a faint reflection of the constant § 
reminder in 
heaven of the; 
everlasting cov- 
enant made for B= 
the salvation of 
man before the foundation of the world. 

Sin hides God’s love from us, shutting out 
from the soul the rays of light from the throne 
of mercy. As the cloud gives forth the rain, 
and the sun, shining through the drops, produces 
the rainbow, so “the tears of the penitent are 
only the rain drops that precede the sunshine of 
holiness.” The Sun of Righteousness, shining 
upon the tears of the penitent, makes manifest 
the glory of God, of which “the bow that is in 














95 


For the invisible things of him 
from the creation of the world are 
clearly seen, being understood by 
the things that are made, even his 
eternal power and Godhead; so 
that they are without excuse. 

Rom, 1:20, 


Deut. 30 : 11-13. 


The bow shall be in the cloud ; 
and I will look upon it, that I may 
remember the everlasting covenant 
between God and every living crea- 
ture of all flesh that is upon the 
Gen, 9 : 16. 


Upon the face of our own world is reflected this story. 


Psa. 89 214. 
Psa. 85 : 10. 


Through the blood of the ever- 
lasting covenant, 
Make you perfect in every good 
work to do his will. 
Heb. 13 :20, 21. 


Your iniquities have separated 
between you and your God, and 
your sins have hid his face from 
you, that he will not hear. 

Isa.59 2. 


96 


Behold, for peace I had great 
bitterness : but thou hastin love to 
my soul delivered it from the pit of 
corruption : for thou hast cast all 
my sins behind thy back. 

Isa. 38:17. 

It shall come to pass, when I 
bring a cloud over the earth, that 
the bow shall be seen in the cloud: 

And I will remember my cove- 
nant, which is between me and you 
and every living creature of all 
flesh. Gen. 9:14, 15- 

And round about the throne were 
four and twenty seats: and upon 
the seats / saw four and twenty 
elders sitting, clothed in white 
raiment; and they had on their 
heads crowns of gold. 

Rev. 4:4, 


x Chron 24 :1-5, 19. 
Luke 1:8. 

Rev. 5:9. 

2 Tim. 4:7,8. 

1 Cor. 9 : 24,25. 


Blessed isthe man that endureth 
temptation : for when he is tried, he 
shall receive the crown of life, which 
the Lord hath promised to them 
that love him. Jasvaciian 


Matt. 27 ‘51-53. 


Wherefore he saith, When he as- 
cended up on high, he led a multi- 
tude of captives, and gave gifts 
unto men. 

Eph. 4:8 [margin.] 


Psa. 68 : 18. 


And out of the throne proceeded 
lightnings and thunderings and 
voices ; and there were seven /amps 
of fire burning before the throne, 
which are the seven Spirits of 
God. Rev. 4:6. 


And above the firmament that 
was over their heads was the like- 
ness of a throne, as the appearance 
of a sapphire stone. Eze. 1+ 4-26, 


Hath in these last days spoken 
unto us by his Son, whom he hath 
appointed heir of all things, by 
whom also he made the worlds. 

. Heb. 1:2. 


STORY OF THE SEER OF PATMOS, 


the cloud in the day of rain” isalikeness. When 
God looks upon the bow, He remembers the 
everlasting covenant. In our own storm clouds, 
God and man look upon the same bow; to man 
it is a promise of iorgiveness ; to God a reminder 
of mercy. 

Turning from the Father, who sat- upon the 
throne, John saw four and twenty seats round 
about the throne. These seats were occupied 
by four and twenty elders, “clothed in white 
raiment ; and they had on their heads crowns of 
gold.” These also represent the atoning work 
of Christ. They represent men from every 
kindred, tongue, and people, redeemed by the 
blood of Christ, clothed with the white raiment 
of His righteousness, and wearing on their heads 
the crowns of victory, which are promised to 
every overcomer. They were of that company 
who arose from the grave when Christ came from 
the tomb, and who are spoken of by Paul as a 
“multitude of captives,” offered to the Father 
as the first fruits from the dead. The work of 
these four and twenty elders is described in the 
fifth chapter, and for that reason, they are but 
mentioned in this connection as sitting near the 
throne. 

The throne of God is a throne of life; not an 
inanimate throne of stones, but a living and 
moving throne. As John looked, he saw light- 
nings and heard thunderings and voices. He is 
viewing the center of creation,—the throne of 
God. It is the great body of life, the source of 
all law. By the power which centers there, 
worlds are held in space, and suns complete their 
circuits. The power which holds the universe 
in space, and binds atoms together, emanates 


A GLIMPSE OF HEAVEN. 


from this throne of life. Angels are the minis- 
ters sent forth to do the will of Him who sits as 
King. Some are light-bearers to worlds, others 
are guardian angels for little children upon earth ; 
but whatever the mission, whether great or small, 
as measured in humanity’s scales, there is the 
same obedience to the mandates of Jehovah, 
Issumg from the presence of the Father, clothed 
in the reflection of His own light, those mes- 
sengers disappear like flashes of lightning. The 
coinmands given, when spoken in an unknown 
tongue, sounded like the roar of 


Upholding all things by the word 
of his power. Heb. 1:3. 


He is before all things, and by 
him all things consist. 
Col. 1:17. 


Bless ye the Lord, all ye his 
hosts ; ye ministers of his, that do 
his pleasure. Psa. 103 : 21. 


Father, glorify thy name. Then 
came there a voice from heaven, 
saying, I have both glorified it, and 
will glorify it again, 

The. people therefore, that stood 
by, and heard it, said that it thun- 
dered : others said, An angel spake 
to him. John 12 :28, 29. 

































































the sea, or like deep and distant 
thunder. Other men have heard 
God speak when His voice 
sounded like thunder. This 
was so at Sinai, and also, when, 
near the close of His ministry, 
men gathered about Christ in 
the temple court. To the Son 
it was the voice of God; to men it 


which he understood. He saw also& 
the seven spirits of God, which, in 
the earthly tabernacle, were typified 
by the seven lamps upon the golden 
candlestick. These stood before the throne. 
This was the ever present, all-pervading Spirit 
of Jehovah, in which all life has its origin. 

The throne was high and lifted up, as Jere- 
miah saw it. Ezekiel describes the throne as 
above a firmament, having the appearance of 
“terrible crystal.” And this crystal firmament, 
or expanse, rested above the heads of four living 
Creatures, which were full of eyes. John was 
accustomed to the placid waters of the Mediter- 


7 





3 Some are 





light-bearers 
to worlds, 
others are 


guardian angels for little children. 


For with thee is the fountain of 
life : in thy light shall we see light. 
Psa. 36 ig. 


He giveth to all life, and breath, 
and all things, Acts 17 325. 


A glorious high throne from the 
beginning is the place of our sanct- 
uary. Jer. 17 512. 


And before the throne there was 
asea of glass like unto crystal: 
and in the midst of the throne, and 
round about the throne, were four 
beasts full of eyes before and be- 
hind, Reu, 4:6. 


98 STORY 


Eze. 1:26, 27. 
Ex. 24:10, 
Eze. 10:1. 
Rev. 15:2. 
Eze. 10: 8-22 
Eze. 1 35-14. 


And the first beast was like a 
lion, and the second beast like a 
calf, and the third beast had a face 
asa man, and the fourth beast 
was like a flying eagle. 

And the four beasts had each of 
them six wings about him; and 
they were full of eyes within: 
wid they rest not day and night, 
saying, Holy, holy, holy, Lord God 
Almighty, which was, and is, and 
is to come, Rev, 4:7, 8 


Luke 3 : 23-33. 
Gen, 49:9, 10. 
Isa. 9:6, 7. 
Rev. 19:16. 


On the east side toward the rising 
of the sun shall they of the stand- 
ard of the camp of Judah pitch. 

Num, 2:3. 


In the first place went the stand- 
ard of the camp of the children of 
Judah according to their armies. 

Num, 10:14. 


The book of the generation of 
Jesus Christ, the son of David, the 
son of Abraham. Matt. 1:1. 


Behold, a virgin shall be with 
child, and shall bring forth a son, 
and they shall call his name Em- 
manuel, which being interpreted is, 
God with us. Matt. 1:23. 

John x: 18, 

Heb, 1:6. 

Gen, 49:3. 

r Tim, 3:16. 

When the fulness of the time was 
come, God sent forth his Son, made 
of a woman, made under the law. 

Galea. 


- 





OF THE SEER OF PATMOS, 


ranean, and the space about the throne is 
described by him as “a sea of glass like unto 
crystal.” “And in the midst of the throne, and 
round about the throne, were four beasts [or liv- 
ing creatures] full of eyes before and behind.” 

These four living creatures represent four 
phases of the character of God. The first was 
like a lion, the second like a calf, or an ox, as 
Ezekiel says, the third had the face of a man, 
and the fourth was like a flying eagle. This 
again establishes the fact that when the plan of 
redemption was laid, all heaven was in unison 
with the plan. Ezekiel and John, one before 
Christ’s advent, the other after, describe the 
same thing, showing that the New Testament is 
but the unfolding of the Old. 

Christ in His life upon earth combined these 
four natures. He is the Lion of the tribe of 
Judah, of whom it was prophesied, “‘ The sceptre 
shall not depart from Judah, nor a lawgiver from 
between his feet, until Shiloh come.” As law- 
giver and governor, Christ represented the kingly 
nature of the Father. When the tribes were 
given their places about the sanctuary, Judah 
was located on the east ; and as they journeyed, 
the standard of Judah went before them. In the 
Gospels, Matthew begins with the genealogy, 
showing the right of Christ to the throne of 
David. There was, in the life of Emmanuel, a 
union of divinity with humanity. Christ was the 
firstborn in heaven; He was likewise the first- 
born of God upon earth, and heir to the Father’s 
throne. Christ, the firstborn, though the Son 
of God, was clothed in humanity, and was made 
perfect through suffering. He took the form 
of man, and through eternity, He will remain a 


A GLIMPSE OF HEAVEN. 


a man. Every firstborn into human families 
is a type of the offermg made by Christ. 
Mark, in his life of Christ, gives the servant 
side. The second face was that of the calf, or the 
ox, the servant of men. This represents the 
priesthood,—the Levites who were chosen for 
service. Christ is both the slain lamb, and the 
priest who ministers in the sanctuary on high. 
He boxe the sins of the world in His own body 
on the cross, and the burden crushed Him to 
death. The most exalted position, and the most 
lowly position are here represented,—God in the 
heavens, and God on the cross. As Levites 
always accompanied the tabernacle, so Christ 
ministers constantly to man. 
no other story till man is redeemed from the 
earth. Every beast of burden beneath its load, 
every overworked child of God, is a reminder of 
the Christ who became the servant of men. 
Although He stepped into the lowhest place, yet 
He was still the giver of the law, and He is 
judge of all. The Gospel of Luke describes the 
man side cf the Son, giving that part of His life 
work, which appeals most forcibly to the mind of 
man. As God took the form of man, there is, 
in the gift, a promise that man may have the 
nature of his God. The keen eye of the flying 
eagle is taken to represent the searching gaze of 
Him whose eyes, as a flame of fire, “run to and 
fro throughout the whole earth, strongly to hold 
with them whose heart is perfect toward Him.” 
Among the different writers, it was John, the 
beloved disciple, who saw the character of Christ 
portrayed as the glorious Word, One equal with 
the Father in might, power, and glory, and his 
gospel completes the inspired record of the 


Heaven will know 


ee 


The beginning of the gospel of 
Jesus Christ, the Son of God ; 

As itis written in the prophets, 
Behold, I send my messenger before 
thy face, which shall prepare thy 
way before thee. Mark1r: 


Who his own self bare our sins in 
his own body on the tree, that we, 
being dead to sins, should live unto 
righteousness : by whose stripes ye 
were healed, 1 Pet. 2 :24. 


my OS 


But made himself of no reputa- 
tion, and took upon him the form 
of a servant, and was made in the 


likeness of men. Phil, 2:7, 


Heb. 2: 10. 
(xe, ug) ae 
Num, 3: 14-51. 


Wherefore in all things it be- 
hoved him to be made like unto 
his brethren, that he might be a 
merciful and faithful high priest in 
things pertaining to God, to make 
reconciliation for the sins of the 
people. 

For in that he himself hath suf- 
fered being tempted, he is able to 
succour them that are tempted. 

Heb. 2:17, 18. 


There is one lawgiver, who is 
able to save and to destroy. 
Jas Auit2. 


Forasmuch as many have taken 
in hand to set forth in order a 
declaration of those things which 
are most surely believed among us, 

Even as they delivered them unto 
us, which from the beginning were 
eyewitnesses, and ministers of the 
word ; 

It seemed good to me also, hav- 
ing had perfect understanding of all 
things from the very first, to write 
unto thee in order, most excellent 
Theophilus. Luke 1: 1-3. 


In the beginning was the Word, 
and the Word was with God, and 
the Word was God, 

The same was in the beginning 
with God. John 1:1, 2. 


And when those beasts give glory 
and honour and thanks to him that 


sat on the throne, who liveth for 


ever and ever. @Rev. 4:9, 


100 STORY 


The four and twenty elders fall 
down before him that sat on the 
throne, and worship him that liv- 
eth for ever and ever, and cast 
their crowns before the throne, 
saying, 

Thou art worthy, O Lord, to re- 
ceive glory and honour and power; 
for thou hast created all things, 
and for thy pleasure they are and 
were created, Reu, 4:10, 17. 


I heard the voice of harpers harp- 
ing with their harps : 

And they sung as it were a new 
song before the throne, and before 
the four beasts, and the elders: 
and no man could learn that song 
but the hundred and forty and four 
thousand, which were redcemed 
from the earth. Rey. 14:2; 3. 





OF. THE SEER OF PATMOS. 


Saviour’s life. He portrayed the divine character 
more fully than any other writer. This is rep- 
resented by the eagle flying heavenward. 

In the heavenly court, there is such an over- 
powering sense of the infinite work of God that 
the four living creatures cry constantly, ‘Holy, 
holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, which was, and 
is, and is to come.’ And in the song of heaven, 


those redeemed from among men, take up the 
response ; and casting their crowns before the 
throne, they sing, “ Thou art worthy, O Lord, to 
receive glory and honor and power: for Thou 
hast created all things, and for Thy pleasure oe 
are and were created.” 





oe 
= 





Joun had been taken in the 
© Spirit into the presence of God. 
In the fourth chapter he de- 
scribes the appearance of the throne; this is 
followed by a view of the work of Christ and 
others connected with the plan of salvation. The 
fifth chapter is only a continuation of the subject 


introduced in the fourth ;—it is an introduction 


to the history given in the sixth chapter. 

Finite man may think himself separated from 
his Creator; but “there is not a word in my 
tongue, but, lo, O Lord, Thou knowest it alto- 
gether.” Whither shall I go from Thy Spirit ? 
or whither shall I flee from Thy presence?” 
John was made to understand this truth in a 
most solemnly impressive way. He says, “I saw 
in the right hand of Him that sat on the throne 
a book written within and on the back side, sealed 


with seven seals.’’ The right hand of the Father 
holds the record of our lives, and unless one can 


approach within the inner circle of the majesty 





CHAPTER VL 


WHO IS. WORTHY TO OPEN THE BOOK ? 


Rev. 4 :1-3. 


All things are of God, who hath 
reconciled us to himself by Jesus 
Christ, and hath given to us the 
ministry of reconciliation. 

2 Cor. 5:18, 


Psa. 139: 1-12. 


Seeing his days are determined, 
the number of his months are with 
thee, thou hast appointed his bounds 
that he cannot pass. Job 14:5. 


And! saw in the right hand of 
him that sat on the throne a book 
written within and on the back- 
side, sealed with seven seals. 

Rev. 6:1. 


The secret of the Lord is with 
them that fear him; and he will 
shew them his covenant. 

Psa. 25214. * 


Tor 


102 


Then hear thou in heaven thy 
dwelling place, and forgive, and do, 
and give to every man according to 
his ways, whose heart thou know- 
est; (for thou, even thou only, 
knowest the hearts of all the chil- 
dren of men.) 1 Kings 8:39. 


Eph. 3:16. 


This is a great mystery: but I 
speak concerning Christ and the 
church. Eph. 5 :32. 


And | saw a strong angel pro- 
claiming with a loud voice, Who is 
worthy to open the book, and to 
/oose the seals thereof ? 

Rev. 6:2, 


And no man in heaven, nor in 
earth, neither under the earth, 
was able to open the book, neither 
to look thereon. 

And | wept much, because no 
man was found worthy to open 
and to read the book, neither to 
look thereon. Rev. 6:3, 4. 


Rey. 19:14. 
Gen. 32:1, 2. 
Psa. 103 : 19-22. 


And one of the eiders saith unto 
me, Weep not : behold, the Lion of 
the tribe of Juda, the Root of Da- 
vid, hath prevailed to open the 
-book, and to loose the seven seals 
thereof. Rev. 6:6, 


‘ STORY OF THE SEER OF PATMOS 





of the Eternal One, he cannot look within this 
book. It is written both within and without. 
Within, is the life which is known only to God, 
—the secret, known only to the soul and its 
Creator. Without, is the reflection of that inner 
life, the outward part which is open to the gaze 
of others. As the condition of the individual, 
so is the condition of the church of God, The 
one created in the image of Jehovah, has received 
of His Spirit, and the soul history can be under- 
stood only by Him of whom it is a part. This 
connection between God and man, is the mystery 
of the Gospel. 

As the host of heaven gazed upon the One on 
the throne, a strong angel proclaimed with a 
loud voice, ‘Who is worthy to open the book, 
and to loose the seals thereof?’ Heaven’s 
arches rang as the challenge was given. It was 
not a reproof, but a call to all the universe of 
God, to witness anew the glory of the Son of 
This was a fresh unfolding of the plan of 
salvation. John, a representative of the fallen 
race, was near, and he wept when “no man in 
heaven, nor in earth, neither under the earth, 
was able to open the book, neither to look 
thereon.” Must the work of earth cease? Was 
the sacrifice a failure? Would history cease 
even after Christ had cied? Hosts of angels, 
marshaled under their leaders, bowed before the 
throne. They had known of the mignty power 
of Jehovah, they had watched the work of crea- 
tion, and had ministered in the utmost bounds 
of space ; but they were silent when the herald’s 
voice was heard. 

Though angels held their peace, one of the 
elders broke the silence. He who had once lived 


man. 


WHO IS WORTHY TO OPEN THE BOOK? 


on earth, who was born in sin, who had fought 
and conquered in the name of Christ, and who 
had risen with Him a victor over that last and 
greatest enemy—death—spoke to his fellow 
man. He knew the full meaning of life on 
earth; he knew the terrors of the grave, and he 
could also speak from experience of the right- 
eousness of Christ, for he was clothed in the 
white garment, and on his head was the golden 
crown of victory. He approached John, saying, 
“Weep not: behold, the Lion of the tribe of 
Juda, the Root of David, hath prevailed to open 
the book.” The elder, who had seen the mighty 
power of Christ so often manifested, took the 
strongest objects in the vegetable and animal 
kingdoms to represent His power,—the root and 
the lion. Massive rocks are torn asunder by the 
noiseless power of the root. Hidden beneath 
the soil its power is mighty. So the power of 
the Root of David, hidden in the heart, can 
break the strongest bands of sin. The Saviour 
speaks of those who had no root in themselves 
as not being able to endure tribulation. The 
Root of David bears the tree of righteousness. 
None can be trees of righteousness who have 
not this pure and holy Root hidden in the soil of 
the heart. The elder used language familiar to 
the prophet, for John was a Jew, and from 
infancy, had listened to the prophecy of Christ 
read from the book of the law. He was promised 
as the “Lion of the tribe of Juda,” the King 
for whom the nation looked as temporal ruler. 
The sure mercies of David were repeated in the 
synagogue services as the prophecies of Jeremiah 
wereread. “Behold . . . Ivwillraise unto 
David a righteous Branch, . . . and this is 


103 


Matt. 27 : 52-53. 
t Cor. 15:26. 


When the chief Shepherd shall 
appear, ve shall veceive a crown of 
glory that fadeth not away. 

n Pet, 5:4. 


I Tesus have sent mime angel to 
testify unto you these things in the 
churches. I am the root and the 
offspring of David, and the bright 
and morning star. Rey. 22 316, 


What is stronger than a lon? 
Judges 14:18. 


That he would grant you, accord- 
ing to the riches of his glory, to be 
strengthened with might by his 
Spirit in the inner man; 

That Christ may dwell in your 
hearts by faith; that ye, being 
rooted and grounded in love. 

Eph. 3 : 36, 17. 


Matt. 13 26, 21. 


The root of the righteous shall 
not be moved. Proy. 12 33. 


The root of the righteous yield- 


eth fruit. Prov, 12:12. 


Gal. 5 :22, 23. 


That they might be called trees 
of righteousness, the planting cf 
the Lord, that he might be glorified 

Isa. 61 33° 


For Moses of old time hath in 
every city them that preach him, 
beiug read in the synagogues every 
sabbath day. Acts 15:21, 


Jer. 23 25, 6. 
Zech, 3 : 8 
Isa, 11 310. 


104 


And the remnant of Jacob shall 
be among the Gentiles in the midst 
of many people as a lion among the 
beasts of the forest, as a young 
lion among the flocks of sheep: 
who, if he go through, both tread- 
eth down, and teareth in pieces, and 
none can deliver. Mic. 5:8. 


I am he that liveth, and was 
dead ; and, behold, I am alive for 
evermore, Amen; and have the 
keys of hell and of death. 

: Rev, 1:18, 


As the Father knoweth me, even 
so know I the Father: and I lay 
down my life for the sheep, 

John 10:15. 


And I beheld, and, lo, in the 
midst of the throne and of the four 
beasts, and in the midst of the 
elders, stood a Lamb as it had been 
slain, having seven horns and seven 
eyes, which are the seven Spirits 
of God sent forth into all the 
earth, Rev. 6:6, 


STORY OF THE SEER OF PATMOS. 


‘ ensign of the people.” 





His name whereby He shall be called, The Lord 
Our Righteousness.” “I will bring forth My 
servant the Branch,” the Lord had said through — 
the prophet Zechariah. “In that day there shall 
be a Root of Jesse, which shall stand for an 
Christ, in the presence 
of John, had used these same symbols to desig- 
nate His own work in the earth. As a lion of 
the forest, He was born to rule, and the power 
of the Spirit within drew all men unto Him. 
Like the tree, which, 
springing from a seed hid, |} 
den in the cemented vault- 
burst asunder the tomb of 
the dead, so the Root of 
David prevailed to loosen | 
the seals and to open the 
book. It was not the sim- 
ple reading of the book that 
was called for. Theangel’s |Py 
call was for one whose life le 













could accomplish [ Sees 
what was written ; 
therein. There, was 


written the work of 
God in the earth. This 
is seen when the seals are broken, as given in 
the following chapter. 

As John watched, “lo, in the midst of the 
throne and of the four beasts, and in the midst 
of the elders, stood a Lamb as it had been slain.” 
In the center of all the glory, in the very presence 
of Life, before adoring angels and witnesses 
from earth, stood a Lamb, slain, its life-blood 
dripping from its veins. 

There was a time when sin did not exist; 


The tree burst asunder the tomb. 


WHO IS WORTHY TO OPEN THE BOOK? 


when the harmony of perfection reigned supreme. 
Man broke the chord. Life began to ebb. All 
nature mourned. Slowly, one by one, the 
stately trees shed their leaves ; the flowers faded. 
Each blossom as it fell, sounded a death knell 
throughout the universe of God. But Christ 
had already covenanted with the Father. His 
life was offered for this very time. And man,— 
penitent, sorrowful man,—brought a lamb from 
the flock, slew it; and its life-blood became a 
token of thelife of Christ. Every creature, from 
the highest form of creation, down to the insect 
mote in the sunbeam, lives in the life of God; 
and when death occurs, a vibration is felt in the 
heart of the Eternal. In every lamb, slain in 
all the sacrificial offerings, God saw the blood of 
His own Son. The heart of the Father was 
broken when the first lamb was slain ; and every 
time the knife was stained with the blood of an 
offering, it brought afresh to the mind of God 
the death of His Son. Christ died of a broken 
heart. Heaven knows the meaning’ of a broken 
heart,—of a life spent,—of hopes blasted. “A 
broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt 
not despise.” : 

So when John watched for one to open the 
the book, there appeared, as it were a Lamb 
slain. That all power was given to the Lamb, 


that all heaven was poured out in this sacrifice,. 


_ is shown by its seven horns and its seven eyes. 
“He came and took the book out of the right 
hand of Him that sat upon the throne” ; for not 
even Christ could do the work alone. The 
power came from the Father. Father and Son 
unite in the work of Redemption. ‘And when 
He had taken the book, the four beasts (living 


105 


Gen. 1:31. 
Gen. 321-7. 
r Tim. 2:14. 


Cursed is the ground for thy sake ; 
in sorrow shalt thou eat of it all the 
days of thy life ; 

Thorns also and thistles shall it 
bring forth to thee. 

Gen, 3:17, 18. 


Rev. 13 8. 
Gen. 4:4. 


In whose hand is the soul of 
every living thing, and the breath 
of all mankind. Job 12 : 10, 


For God sent not his Son into the 
world to condemn the world; but 
that the world through him might 
be saved. John 3:17. 


Hope deferred maketh the heart 
sick: but when the desire cometh, 
itisatree of life. Prov.13 :12. 


Psa. 512137. 


Being fully persuaded that, what 
he had promised, he was able also 
to perform. Rom. 4:21. 


And he came and took the book 
out of the right hand of him that 
sat upon the throne. Rev. 6:7. 


Matt, 28:18, 


And when he had taken the book, 
the four beasts and four and 
twenty elders fell down before the 
Lamb, having every one of them 
harps, and golden vials full of 
odours, which are the prayers of 
saints. Rev. 6: 8 


Rev. 8:3-8. 


106 STORY 


Wherefore he is able also to save 
them to the uttermost that come 
unto God by him, seeing he ever 
liveth to make intercession for 
Heb. 7:25. 

The whole multitude of the peo- 
ple were praying without at the 
time of incense. Luke 1: 10, 


He shall bum incense upon it, a 
perpetual incense before the Lord 
throughout your generations. 

Ex. 30:8. 


them. 





In the tabernacle service on 
earth, the altar of incense 
burned continually. 


Lev. 16:2. 


And he shall take a censer full of 
burning coals of fire from off the 
altar before the Lord, and his hands 
full of sweet incense beaten small, 
and bring it within the vail: 

And he shall put the incense upon 
the fire before the Lord, that the 
cloud of the incense may cover the 
mercy seat that is upon the testi- 
mony, that he die not. 

; Lev. 16:12, 13. 

Rev. 8:3, 4. 

Rev. 5:8. 


Let my prayer be set forth be- 
fore thee as incense ; and the lifting 
up of my hands as the evening sac- 


rifice. Psa. 14122. 


Evening, and morning, and at 
noon, will I pray, and cry aloud: 
and he shall hear my voice. 

ea SS Sze 


OF THE SEER OF PATMOS: 





creatures) and four and twenty elders fell down 
before the Lamb, having every one of them harps, 
and golden vials full of odors (incense), which 
are the prayers of saints.” Here is given the 
work of the elders and the living creatures. As 
the Lamb ministers constantly before the throne 
of God, these who have been redeemed to God 
“out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, 
and nation,” bow before the throne, offering to 
Him who sits thereon the prayers which ascend 
from the earth. With the prayers, is a cloud of 
incense. ‘This holy incense is the merits and 
intercession of Christ, His perfect righteousness, 
which, through faith, is imputed to His people, 
and which alone can make the worship of sinful 
beings acceptable to God.” 

In the tabernacle service on earth, the altar 
of incense burned continually before the ark of 
the covenant, where shone the visible presence 
of God. When the high priest entered on the 
day of atonement into the Holy of Holies, he 
made his offering for the people with much in- 
cense, a cloud ascended from the censer as long 
as he remained in Divine Presence. To-day in 
heaven those who once lived on earth, represent- 
atives from every kindred, nation, and people, 
having passed through every phase of earthly 
experience, take the prayers offered by penitent 
sinners, and present them before the Lamb. 
Repentance is a sweet odor before our God ; for 
it tells of sorrow for sin, and the acceptance of 
the life of Christ. Since the death of Christ, 
the lamb is no longer slain; but the morning 
and evening prayers, when the blood of Christ 
is presented by faith, touch the heart of God, 
and from His throne angels speed their way on 


- WHO IS WORTHY TO OPEN THE BOOK? 


rapid wings to fulfill the petition. 

there does not seem to come an 
answer, there is still the assurance that no 
earnest petition escapes the notice of our Father. 
They are represented as preserved in vials, 
in “bottles,” as David says ; and when the family 
of the redeemed is at last gathered on that 
crystal sea with the Lamb and the four and 
twenty elders, it will be found that every prayer 
of faith is answered. The lowliest believer, the 
most burdened sinner, who turns his face heaven 
ward, can see the rainbow of promise above the 
throne. For him the Lamb was slain, and in his 
behalf, some one in that company of elders, who 


If to prayer 


immediate 


surround the throne, can plead, ‘‘I have passed 
over this same road and I have been rescued by 
the Saviour.’ Look up, and take heart; for all 
heaven is working for the redemption of man! 

In anticipation of the final cleansing of the 
universe from sin, and the restoration of man to 
his place beside the Father, there is sung in 
heaven the song of the redeemed. The four 
beasts and the four and twenty elders sing a new 
song,—a song of Redemption; for they have 
been raised from the depths of sin to the position 
of kings and priests unto God. Those now in 
heaven, look forward to their reign with Christ 
on the earth made new. When the plan is 
completed, the few who now minister in heaven, 
together with the multitudes who come forth at 
the first resurrection, will reign as kings and 
priests on the earth. “Thine is the kingdom, 
Thine is the power, and Thine the glory,” will 
be the grand chorus when Christ as King of 
kings receives His everlasting dominion, and the 
redeemed reign with Him. To the earth 


107 


Gabriel, whom I had seen in the 
vision at the beginning, being caused 
to fly swiftly, touched me about the 
time of the evening oblation. 

Dan. 9:21. 


Jer. 10225. 
Rev. 5:8. 


But thou, when thou prayest, en- 
ter into thy closet, and when thou 
hast shut thy door, pray to thy Fa- 
ther which is in secret and thy Fa- 
ther which seeth in secret shall 
reward thee opec:;. Matt. 6:6, 


The Lord is nigh unto them that 
are of a broken heart; and saveth 
such as be of a contrite spirit. 

Many are the afflictions of the 
righteous : but the Lord delivereth 
him out of them all. 

Psa. 34:18, 19. 


Dan. 8:14. 


And they sung a new song, say- 
ing, Thou art worthy to take the 
book, and to open the seals thereof: 
for thou wast slain, and hast re- 
deemed us to God by thy blood out 
of every kindred, and tongue, and 
people, and nation ; 

And hast made us unto our God 
kings and priests: cnd we shall 
reign on the earth. 

And | beheld, and | heard the 
voice of many angels round about 
the throne ana the beasts and the 
elders: and the number of them 
was ten thousand times ten thou- 
sand, and thousands of thousands, 

Rev. 6:9-11, 


108 STORY 


Rev. 11:15. 


Isa. 35 : I-10. 


He will make her wilderness like 
Eden, and her desert like the gar- 
den of the Lord ; joy and gladness 
shall be found therein, thanksgiv- 
ing, and the voice of melody. 

Isa. 51:3. 


Saying with a loud voice, Worthy 
is the Lamb that was slain to re- 
ceive power, and riches, and wis- 
dom, and strength, and honour, 
and glory, and blessing. 

Rev. 6:12. 


And every creature which is in 
heaven, and on the earth, and un- 
der the earth, and such as are in 
the sea, and all that are in them, 
heard | saying, Blessing, and hon- 
our, and glory, and power, be unto 
him that sitteth upon the throne, 
and unto the Lamb for ever and 
ever. 

And the four beasts said, Amen. 
And the four and twenty elders 
fell down and worshipped him that 
liveth for ever and ever. 

Rev, 6:18, 14, 


OF THE SEER OF PATMOS: 





renewed, and reflecting again the glory of God 
as when it first came forth from the hand of its 
Creator; with the discord all gone, and the 
music of the spheres rolling in ceaseless pzeans 
through endless space; is the scene which 
heaven looks forward to in anticipation. 

The redeemed sang, “ Thou art worthy,” and 
from ten thousand times ten thousand of angel 
voices there rang the response: ‘ Worthy is the © 
Lamb that was slain to receive power, and 
riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honor, and 
glory, and blessing.” 

. And then in the chorus of voices, angels, 
elders, and every creature from earth and sea 
and sky, joined in singing, “ Blessing, and honor, 
and glory, and power, be unto Him that sitteth 
upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever 
and ever.’ And the four beasts answered, 
“Amen. And the four and twenty elders 
fell down, and worshiped Him that liveth for 
ever and ever.” If man but caught a glimpse 
of the joy of salvation, his lips would repeat the 
songs of heaven. Angelic beings are looking 
forward to the completion of the plan. So may 
we. 





CHAPTER VII. 


HISTORY IN THE SEALS. 


Tue book of Revelation is introduced as a 
“revelation of Jesus Christ”; the first five chap- 
ters verify the truthfulness of the name. The 
sixth chapter opened to John a new phase of the 
divine character as revealed in the life of the 
. Son, and in His attitude toward the people upon 
whom His love is bestowed. 

The secret history of those on earth, between 
whom and the Father no being can intervene, is 
held in the right hand of that Father, and the 
Lamb alone is able to fulfill what is written 
within the scroll. The seals, opened, reveal the 
life of the church, the child of God; and_ begin- 
ning at the birth of Christianity, the seals extend 
to the end of time. Others may know somewhat 
of the life; but only the Father knows the en- 
vironments, the place of birth, the inherited 
tendencies of His child, Healone is able to ap- 
preciate the character, and to form righteous 
judgment concerning it. 

When the first seal was broken by the Lamb, 
cne of the four living creatures, whose voice was 


The Revelation of Jesus Christ, 
which God gave unto him, to shew 
unto his servants things which must 
shortly come to pass ; and he sent 
and signified it by his angel unto 
his servant John. Rev. I 31. 

John 15:13. 

Eph. 5 : 23-25. 

Rev. 2:17. 

For there is one God, and one 
mediator between God and men, 
the man Christ Jesus. 

x Tim. 2:5. 

Of Zion it shall be said, This 
and that man was born in her’ and 
the highest himself shal estab- 
lish her. 

The Lord shall count, when he 
writeth up the people, that this man 
was born there. Psa. 87:5, 6. 

John 16:27. 

And | saw when the Lamb opened 
one of the seals, and | heard, as it 
were the noise of thunder, one of 
the four beasts saying, Come and 
see. 

And! saw, and behold a white 
horse: and he that sat on him had 
a bow; and a crown was given 
unto him: and he went forth con- 
quering, and to conquer. 

Rev. 6:1, 2. 

Rey, 12:11. 


Zech. 6:5. 
109 


IIO STORY 


The eyes of the Lord run to and 
fro throughout the whole earth, to 
shew himself strong in the behalf of 
them whose heart is perfect toward 
him, 2 Chron. 16:9. 


He went forth conquering, and to conquer. 


Moreover I have given to thee 
one portion above thy brethren. 
Gen. 48 :22. 
1 Cor. 1: 1-7. 
Acts 221-17. 
Luke 9:23. 
Gen. 49:26. 





OF THE SEER OF PATMOS:, 





like thunder, bade John behold. Those living 
creatures, as they surround the throne, reflect 
the character of God, they are interested in those 
upon earth, whose lives also reflect the Divine 
Image. “And I saw, and behold a white horse: 
and he that sat on him had a bow; and a crown 
was given unto him: 
and‘he went forth con- 
quering, and to con- 
quer.” Zechariah was 
told that horses sym- 
bolized the “spirits of 
the heavens, which go 
forth from standing be- 
fore the Lord of all the 
earth.” God’s Spirit is 
seeking for those who 
will give it full control 
in their lives, and the . 
Apostolic Church was 
blessed with a double 
portion of the Spirit. 
The horse upon which 
it rode was white, rep- 
resenting the simple 
faith and trust of those 
who accepted the bap- 
tism of the Spirit in its 
purity. All the gifts 
of the Spirit were man- 
ifested in the church 
of the first-century. The followers of Christ 
separated themselves from the midst of the 
world, from friends and relatives and all that 
earth counts dear, and God pronounces His 
richest blessing “On the crown of the head 


HISTORY IN THE-SEALS: 


of him that was separate from his brethren.” 

A crown denotes victory. A crown was given 
to him that sat on the horse, and he went forth 
“conquering, and to conquer.’”’ During the first 
century, it mattered not whether there was an 
appearance of defeat, or whether triumph was 
seen in the healing of the sick, and the: deliver- 
ing of the tried and tempted. The name of 
Jesus Christ of Nazareth was health to the af- 
flicted and life tothe dead. Victory was written 
upon every move of the disciples. In prison, 
with their backs lacerated, their songs of praise 
and thanksgiving brought victory and resulted in 
the conversion of souls. Peter was sentenced 
to death, shut up in the inner prison; but that 
last night in prison was a victory; for the 
angel of the Lord brought deliverance. Truly 
wonderful was the story of the Gospel during 
the first century, as it went forth “ conquering, 
and to conquer.” 

Like the tree planted by the fountain, whose 
branches grow beyond all bounds, so the church 
of the first century spread throughout the world. 
Its very loneliness and spirit of sacrifice was its 
most attractive feature to those hitherto unac- 
quainted with the power of the Gospel. It was 
indeed planted by the Fountain of Life, and so 
long as it remained in connection with that living 
water, no amount of opposition could retard its 
growth. 

The unparalleled rapidity attending the propa- 
gation of the gospel of the Cross, is witnessed to 
by writers of that age. To the Roman church 
Paul wrote: “I thank my God that your 
faith is spoken of throughout the whole world ;” 
and again, “ Your obedience is come abroad unto 
all men.” 


Ii! 


2 Tim. 4:7, 8 
Rev. 2: 10. 


Acts 5:40, 42. 


In the name of Jesus Christ of 
Nazareth rise up and walk. 

And he took him by the right 
hand, and lifted him up : and imme- 
diately his feet and ankle bones re- 
ceived strength. Acts 3:6, 7. 


Acts 9:36-41. 
Acts 16 : 19-39. 


Behold, the angel of the Lord 
came upon him, and a light shined 
in the prison: and he smote Peter 
on the side, and raised him up, say- 
ing, Arise up quickly. And his 
chains fell off from his hands. 

Acts 12:7. 


Rom, 1:8. 


Joseph is a fruitful bough, even 
a fruitful bough by a well; whose 
branches run over the wall. 
Gen. 49:22. 


Jer. 17 :7, 8. 


He shall be like a tree planted 
by the rivers of water, that bringeth 
forth his fruit in his season; bis 
leaf also shall not wither; and 
whatsoever he doeth shall prosper. 

Psa. 1:3. 


STORY 


Not by army, nor by power, but 
by my spirit, saith the Lord of 
hosts. Zech. 4:6 [margin.] 


These things I have spoken unto 
you, that in me ye might have 
peace. In the world ye shall have 


tribulation, 


John 16:33. 


And when he had opened the 
second seal, | heard the second 
beast say, Come and see. 

And there went out another 
horse that was red: and power 
was given to him that sat thereon 
to take peace from the earth, and 
that they should kill one another : 
and there was given unto hima 


great sword, 


Rev. 278-11 
Rom, 4:17. 


Heb, 11 34. 


Rev. 6:38, 4, 


OF THE SEER OF PATMOS. 





When the apostle had been preaching but little 
more than thirty years, he said to the Colossians 
that the Gospel had been “preached to every 
creature which is under heaven.” What stronger 
expression could be used than “it went forth 
conquering, and to conquer.” But it was “not 
by army, nor by power, but by My Spirit, 
saith the Lord of Hosts.’ This was the soul ex- 
perience of those children of the living God 
when they felt the warmth of “their first love.” 

The Gospel of Christ brings peace on earth, 
but when men fail to receive the truth, it brings 
sword and bloodshed. The second beast said, 
“Come and see.” “And there went out another 
horse that was red, and power was given to him 
that sat thereon to take peace from the earth, 
and that they should kill one another.” Peace 
was taken from the earth ; blood was shed upon 
the right hand and upon the left, and the saints 
were led as a lamb to the slaughter. Nothing 
could more vividly describe this period than the 
“horse that was red: and power was given to 
him that sat thereon to take peace from the 
earth.” This carries us through the period 
known as the triumph of paganism, correspond- 
ing to the Smyrna church. In the eyes of the 
world, the experience of God’s people through 
this age, was one of great defeat, but in the eyes 
of Him, who has power to give victory in the 
smallest things of earth, and to bring to naught 
things that are, by things that are not, this ex- 
perience was a triumph. The very witness 
borne by the sacrifice of the lives of the saints 
became seed that sprang up and bore fruit. 
God’s infinite power is made manifest in every 
sacrifice made by men upon earth. In their 


HISTORY IN THE: SEALS. : 113 





Power was given to him that sat thereon to take peace 
from the earth, 


utter helplessness lay their strength. It was 
then that the power of Christ rested upon them. 
Even the smallest act, performed in behalf of 
Christ, multiplies not only a hundredfold in this 
life, but its influence, like a stone thrown into 
a smooth surface of water, extends until it 
reaches the ocean of eternity. 
& 


Fear none of those things which 
thou shalt suffer : behold, the devil 
shall cast some of you into prison, 
that ye may be tried ; and ye shall 
have tribulation ten days; be thou 
faithful unto death, and I will give 
thee a crown of life, 

He that hath an ear, let him hear 
what the Spirit saith unto the 
churches ; he that overcometh shall 
not be hurt of the second death, 

Rev. 2:10, 11. 


These things I have spoken unto 
you, that in me ye might have 
peace. Inthe world ye shall have 
tribulation : but be of good cheer ; 
I have overcome the world. 

John 16 33. 


Therefore I take pleasure in in. 
firmities, in reproaches, in necessi. 
ties, in persecutions, in distresses 
for Christ’s sake: for when I am 
weak, then am I strong. 

2 Cor, 12:10. 


Matt. 10: 42. 
Mark 10:29, 30. 
Matt. 26 :6-13. 


114 STORY. 


Seeing they cruciiy to themselves 
the Son of God afresh, and put him 
toanopenshame. Heb, 6:6. 


He said to me, These are they 
which came out of great tribulation, 
and have washed their robes, and 
made them white in the blood of 
the Lamb. Rev. 7:14. 

The man that wandereth out of 
the way of understanding shall re- 
main in the congregation of the 
dead. Prov. 21:16, 


And when he had opened the 
third seal, | heard the third beast 
say, Come and see. And / beheld, 
and loa black horse; and he that 
sat on him had a pair of balances 
in his hand Rev. 6:6. 


Therefore thou art inexcusable, 
O man, whosoever thou art that 
judgest: for wherein thou judgest 
another, thou condemnest thyself ; 
for thou that judgest doest the same 
things. Rom. 2:1. 


Ex. 32 230-35. 
Rom. 9 : 1-3. 
EX. 32 23%, 32. 
Jas. 4:12. 


Speak not evil one of another, 
brethren, He that speaketh evil of 
his brother, and judgeth his brother, 
speaketh evil of the law, and judg- 
eth the law: but if thou judge the 
law, thou art not a doer of the law, 
but a judge. Jas. 4:11. 


2 Thess. 234, 
Isa. 14213, 14 


OF THE SEER OF PATMOSss 





To live a spiritual life requires a ceaseless 
climbing, higher and still higher; but humanity 
is prone to take an easier part. Sad as it may 
seem, we find the church, which for years sacri- 
ficed its life for the sake of the Gospel, begin- 
ning to compromise the truth of God. The 
church turned its eyes from Christ, and was al- 
lured by the world into strange paths. What 
Satan could not do by persecution, he accom- 
plished by flattery. When the third seal was 
opened, the third beast was heard to say, “ Come 
and see.” And I beheld, and lo a black horse ; 
and he that sat on him had a pair of balances.” 
It is strange that, when men lose the Spirit of 
God, they at once become self-appointed judges 
of other men. The Spirit of Christ is, “in 
honor preferring one another.”’ The life of the 
Saviour exemplifies this ; the lives of those who 
have followed closely in His footsteps show that 
the same spirit has dwelt in men. The prayer 
of Moses was that God would blot out his name 
from the book of life, but save Israel. ‘Oh, 
this people have sinned a greatsm. . . . 
Yet now, if Thou wilt forgive their sin ;—and if 
not, blot me, I pray Thee, out of Thy book which 
Thou hast written.” “There is one Lawgiver, 
who is able to save and to destroy. who art 
thou that judgest another?’’ When, however, 
men cease to obey the law of God, they at once 
exalt self above the Lawgiver, and seated on the 
throne of justice, they attempt to weigh men’s 
deeds. This is the “mystery of iniquity,” which 
“opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is 
called God, or that is worshiped; so that he as 
God sitteth in the temple of God, showing him- 
self that he is God.” It is the spirit of him who 


MISTORN INV THe wes, 115 





said, “I will ascend 
into heaven, I will exalt 
my throne above the 
erincmeor God 9... 
I will ascend above the 
heights of the clouds ; 
I will be like the Most 
High.” 

But the balances 
held by man are false 
balances; and _ while 
man is passing judg- 
ment, God, from the 
throne, is watching 
those who are being 
weighed, and in His 
infinite kindness, limits 
the power of the self- 
made judge. This 
judge may say “a 
measure of wheat fora 
penny, and three meas- 
ures of barley for a 
penny ;” he may, it is 
true, judge somewhat 





from outward appearances, he may weigh out the 
physical actions, but the Divine command is, 
«See thou hurt not the oil and the wine.” The 
oil of His grace, and the wine, the emblem of 
the inner spiritual life, must not, and cannot be 
touched, 

The church during the fourth and fifth cen- 
turies, began dictating to men what they should 
believe, and how they should worship, This was 


the period when Christianity was replaced by the 


papacy, and man was exalted as vicegerent of 
God on earth. ; 





He that sat on him had a pair of balances in his hand. 


TEKEL; Thou art weighed in 
the balances, and art found want= 
ing. Dan. 5 :27. 


And | heard a voice in the midst 
of the four beasts say, A measure 
of wheat for a penny, and three 
measures of barley for a penny; 
and see thou hurt not the o!l and 
the wine. Rev, 6:6. 


And when he had opened the 
fourth seal, / heard the voice of 
the fourth beast say, Come and 
see, Rev. 6:7. 





His name that sat on him was Death, and Hell followed with him. 


And | looked, and behold a pale 
horse: and his name that sat on 
him was Death, and Hell followed 
with him, And power was given 
unto them over the fourth part of 
the earth, to kill with sword, and 
with hunger, and with death, and 
with the beasts of the earth. 

Rev. 6:8 


Jer. 2:22. 
Hos. 13 : 12. 
Gen. 474-8. 


power, it weighs out to 
perience. 


STORY OF THE SEER OF PATMOS. 


The fourth beast 
bade John come, and 
see the opening of the 
fourth seal, which was 
the culmination of the 
scenes begun under the 
third seal. ‘I looked, 
and behold a pale horse: 
and his name that sat 
on him was Death, and 
Hell followed with 
him.” The pale horse 
was an indication of 
still greater departure 
from the spirit of truth 
than the black one. 
Thousands have been 
put to death by the 
sword, by starvation, 
and by wild beasts; 
and what is worse than 
killing the body, many 
more have _ suffered 
spiritual death because 
of the hiding of the 
Word of Life. When- 
ever the church is 
clothed with civil 
mankind Christian ex- 


If that experience is not according to 
the prescribed religion, 


the thumbscrew and 


other instruments of torture are brought forth 


to extort confessions from the penitent. 


But 


God, even in the midst of the severest persecu- 
tion, watches over every afflicted soul. 
It might seem that God would have prevented 


“HISTORY IN THE SEALS. 


such seeming cruelty during the Dark Ages ; but 
the view given to John, shows that Christ suf- 
fered in the person of His saints. At the time 
of the crucifixion angels were restrained from 
rescuing the Saviour from His agony. It was 
suffered to be so for the time, that the greater 
glory might be seen thereafter. So in the mar- 
tyrdom of the Middle Ages, and in any form of 


persecution, Christ identifies Himself with the _ 


sufferer, and all heaven stands ready to succor 
him. 

“When He had opened the fifth seal,” John 
“saw under the altar the souls of them that 
were slain for the Word of God and for the testi- 
mony which they held.” God does not forget 
those who have suffered for His name, but their 
names are written in the Book of Life. The 
lamb in the tabernacle service was slain on the 
earth; Christ left the courts of heaven, and the 
earth became the altar where His blood was 
shed; the rock-hewn sepulchre became the 
grave in which His dead body was laid; so the 
earth has drunk the blood of martyrs, and their 
bodies lie buried in its bosom. Representatives 
of all classes of men, from the lowly tradesman 
to the men of brilliant intellect, fell before the 
power of him who sat on the pale horse. Such 
men as Huss and Jerome, Ridley, Cranmer, and 
Latimer, suffered for the Word of God. But 
there were others, such as Galileo, who were 
persecuted because they advocated principles, 
which, when weighed in the balances of him 
who sat enthroned, were deemed to be danger- 
ous to the government. 

The blood of Abel cried unto God, so the 
earth bears witness before Jehovah of every life 


117 


John 18:36, 37. 
Luke 12 :4-7. 


The King shall answer and say 
unto them, Verily I say unto you, 
Inasmuch as ye have done it unto 
one of the least of these my breth 
ren, ye have done it unto me. 

Matt. 25 :40. 


Isa. 41 : 10-12. 


And when he had opened the fifth 
seal, | saw under the altar the 
souls of them that were slain for 
the word of God, and for the tes- 
timony which they held : 

And they cried with a loud voice, 
saying, How long, O Lord, holy and 
true, dost thou not judge and 
avenge our blood on them that 
dwell on the earth? 

Rev. 6:9, 10. 


Luke 22 : 44. 


Num. 35 :33, 34 
Josh, 24:26, 27. 


Others had trial of cruel mock- 
ings and scourgings, yea, moreover 
of bonds and imprisonment : 

They were stoned, they were 
sawn asunder, were tempted, were 
slain with the sword: they wan- 
dered about in sheepskins and goat- 
skins ; being destitute, afflicted, tor- 
mented 3 

(Of whom the world was not wor~ 
thy.) Heb. 11 : 36-38. 


Gen. 4: 10. 
Psa. 50:4. 
Rom. 8 :23, 24. 


118 STORY 








OF THE SEER OF PATMOS. 


Ga) which has been taken in 
His name. This wit- 
ness is true, one that 
can never be suborned ; 
and it matters not what 
may be the verdict of 
him who holds the 
balance. God knows, 
and gives righteous 
judgment. When the 
history of nations was 
revealed to Daniel, the 
angels of heaven cried, 
“How long, O Lord, 
how long till the end of 
these things?” The 
whole creation suffers 
because of the curse 
which sin has brought ; 
and in addition to these 
voices, which plead for 
the end of all things, 
the blood of the mar- 
tyrs is heard by the sen- 
sitive ear of Jehovah. 


‘** How long, O Lord, holy and true, dost thou not judge and When asked wh y 
ayenge'our blood’? there is such long-suf- 


The eyes of the Lord are upon 
the righteous, and his ears are open 
unto their cry. Psa. 34215. 


And white robes were given unto 
every one of them; and it was said 
unto them, that they should rest 
yet for a little season, until their 
fellowservants also and their 
brethren, that should be killed as 
they were, should be fulfilled. 

Rev. 6:11. 


Heb. 11 :35-38. 


fering on the part of God, John saw the white 
robes of Christ’s righteousness, prepared for 
every one who has given up life for the sake of 
the truth, They have been despised, rejected, 
and killed by men; but on the record books of 
heaven, every sin is covered by the character of 
their Lord. They were the company who were 
“destitute, afflicted, tormented: of whom the 


HISTORY IN THE SEALS. 


world was not worthy ;” but heaven has a home 
for them, and in the restoration of all things, 
they will be given a place near the throne. Their 
numbers will be increased by those who are 
called to suffer a similar death in the period 
of time preceding the second coming of Christ. 
What was done under the cover of darkness in 
the Middle Ages, will be repeated when the 
sun is at its zenith. All who are slain for con- 
science’ sake, sleep together in their graves until 
called forth by the trumpet tones of Him, who 
is the resurrection and the life. Then will 
white robes be given them, together with palms 
of victory. To-day they are seen clothed in 
white robes ; for the world, forgetting the crimes 
of which they were basely accused, assigns 
them a martyr’s crown. 

This inner life history, as revealed by the 
opening of the seals, was not for the benefit of 
those who lived during the period in ecclesiasti- 
cal history, when it was especially applicable ; 
for at those times the prophecies were not under- 
stood ; but it is for those who live in the time of 
the end, especially under the sixth seal, that the 
wondrous love of Him who ruleth in the heavens, 
may be read in the events which occur. 

The sixth seal covers history until the end of 
time ; therefore the generation now living will 
witness at least some events shown to the 
prophet when this seal was opened. It differs 
from the first four seals, by showing events 
which mark prophetic time, rather than by show- 
ing the condition of the church. Those who 
recognize the signs therein given, as omens of 
the second coming of the Son of man, will wel- 
come Him under the seventh seal. Those who 


119 


If we suffer, we shall also reign 
with him: if we deny him, he also 
will deny us. 2 Tim, 2:12. 


This is the condemnation, that 
light is come into the world, and 
men loved darkness rather than 
light, because their deeds were evil. 

John 3: 16-19. 


Job 14:12-15. 


Understand, O son of man: for 
at the time of the end shall be the 
vision, Dan. 8:17. 


The words are closed up and 
sealed till the time of the end. 

Many shall be purified, and made 
white, and tried; but the wicked 
shall do wickedly : and none of the 
wicked shall understand; but the 
wise shall understand. 

Dan. 12 :9, 10. 


Song Sol. 4:7. 
Mark 13 : 23-31. 


Luke 21 : 29-31. 
Eccl. 3:1. 
Eph. 5 : 26, 27. 
Col. 1:28, 29. 


The great day of the Lord is near, 
it is near, and hasteth greatly, even 
the voice of the day of the Lord: 
the mighty man shall cry there bit- 
terly, Zeph. rt: 54. 


120 


Amos 1:1. 
Zech, 14:5. 
Ex, 10: 21-23. 


There shall be signs in the sun, 
and in the moon, and in the stars ; 
and upon the earth distress of na- 
tions, with perplexity ; the sea and 
the waves roaring. Luke 21:25, 


Joel 2:31. 
Amos 8:9. 
Isa. 13 29, 10. 
Eze. 32:7, 8. 
Matt. 24:29, 
Mark 13:24, 
Luke 21:25, 
Rey. 6 :12, 13. 


And except that the Lord had 
shortened those days, no flesh 
should be saved: but for the elect’s 
sake, whom he hath chosen, he 
hath shortened the days. 

Mark 13:20, 


And | beheld when had he opened 
the sixth seal, and, lo, there was 


STORY OF THE SEER OF PATMOS. 





do not thus read the language of God, as given 
in signs and wonders, will have the experience 
recorded in Rev. 6: 15-17. 

At the beginning of the sixth seal, a mighty 
earthquake shook the earth. This doubtless re- 
fers to the earthquake of 1755, felt with greatest 
severity at Lisbon, Portugal, and known in 
history as the Lisbon earthquake. Its influence 
was felt as far north as Greenland, also in the 
north of Africa. This was to be followed by the 
darkening of the sun, and the moon, and the fall- 
ing of the stars of heaven. There have been 
many earthquakes in the history of the world, 
and the sun has often been darkened; but a 


definite earthquake was to be considered as a 
sign of the times in which men were living. A 


definite darkening of the sun and moon would be 
used by the Lord as a token of His near ap- 
proach. That men might know which events to 
accept and which to reject, the Word of God 
has described with divine minuteness the ones 
referred to under the sixth seal. Eight writers 
of the Bible give the signs in the sun, moon, and 
stars, as heralds of the last day. Four of these, 
Joel, Amos, Isaiah, and Ezekiel, wrote before 
the time of Christ ; the other four are Matthew, 
Mark, Luke, and John, three of whom repeat 
the words given by the Saviour Himself. The 
description of the signs in the heavenly bodies, 
given by these eight writers, points out at least 
thirteen peculiarities, which unmistakably indi- 
cate the time and nature of their occurrence. 
The time when men might look for signs in the 
heavens is given by Matthew. He says, “Im- 
mediately after the tribulation of those days shall 
the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not 


HISTORY IN THE SEALS. 121 


give her light,” etc. The “tribula- 
tion of those days” is the period of 
darkness and persecution, known as 
the “abomination of desolation spoken 
of by Daniel the prophet.” It began 
with the establishment of the papacy 
in 538 A.D., and continued twelve 
hundred and sixty years, or until 
1798. But God in mercy shortened 
the time of persecution; for “except 
those days be shortened there should 
no flesh be saved.” The persecuting 
power of the papacy was broken about 
1776 A.D. “Immediately after the 
tribulation of those days shall the sun 
be darkened and the moon shall not 
give her light.” The prophesied dark 
day must then be looked for soon 
after 1776. Mark adds another item 
which helps in the : 

location of the time. 
He says, ‘In those 
days, after that tribu- 
lation,” etc. That is, 
within the period of 
the twelve hundred 
and sixty years, or be- 
fore 1798 and after 
1776, “the sun shall 
be darkened and the 
moon shall not give 
her light.” History 
records the extraor- 























** He is even at the door.’’ 


dinarily dark day of May 19, 1780; and the stu-  agreat earthquake; and the sun 


dent of prophecy finds that in point of time, this 


became black as sackcloth of hair, 
and the moon became as blood. 


meets the requirements of Matthew and Mark. Rev, 6:12. 


122 STORY 


The following are thirteen peculi- 
arities which indicate the time and 
nature of the signs in the heavens: 


Immediately after the tribulation 
of those days shall the sun be dark- 
ened. and the moon shall not give 
her light, and the stars shall fall 
from heaven. Matt. 24:29. 


In those days, after that tribula- 
tion, the sun shall be darkened, and 
the moon shall not give her light. 

Mark 13:24. 

When these things begin to come 
to pass, then look up, and lift up 
your heads; for your redemption 
draweth nigh, 

So likewise ye, when ye see these 
things come to pass, know ye that 
the kingdom of God is nigh at 
hand, Luke 21 : 28, 31. 


The sun shall be turned into dark- 
ness, and the moon into blood, be- 
fore the great and the terrible day 
of the Lord come. Joel 2:31. 

Maketh the day dark with night. 

Amos 5:8. 

The sun shall be darkened in his 
coing forth. Isa. 33\¢ 10. 

I will cause the sun to go down 
at noon. Amos 8:9. 


I will darken the earth in the 


clear day. Amos 8 :9. 


I will cover the sun with a cloud. 
Eze. 32:7. 


The sun became black as sack- 
cloth of hair. Rev. 6:12. 


The moon became as blood. 
Rey. 6:12. 
The stars of heaven fell unto the 
earth, even asa fig tree casteth her 
untimely figs, when she is shaken 
of a mighty wind. 
I beheld when he had opened the 
sixth seal, and, lo, there was a great 
earthquake, Rey. 6:12. 


aay Pea 
Rey. 6:13. 





OF THE SEER OF PATMGS 


Luke, the Gospel writer, who appeals especially to 
the lover of logic, so states facts that the reader 
is at once convinced that the signs in the sun, 
moon, and stars, are consecutive events. In 
Luke 21 :25—33, the signs are mentioned. The 
28th verse says, “When these things begin to 
come to pass, then look up, and lift up your 
heads ; for your redemption draweth nigh.” It 
is not yet nigh, but it draweth nigh. The 31st 
verse continues, “When ye see these things 
[Matthew says, ‘all these things,’] come to pass, 
know ye that the kingdom of God is nigh at hand.” 
There is a lapse of time between the first and 
the last signs. When they begin to appear, 
redemption draweth nigh; when all have ap- 
peared, redemption is nigh, ‘even at the door.” 
Those who endured the afflictions of the Dark 
Ages, who had seen friends tortured on the 
rack, or burned at the stake ; or had themselves 
endured imprisonment or persecution, when the 
light of the Reformation scattered the dark- 
ness, were bidden to look forward; for the 
morning star was to be seen. A little later 
came the darkening of the sun. Then they 
were encouraged to lift up the head, for “re- 
demption draweth nigh.” Those living since the 
fulfillment of all the signs, should rejoice; for 
‘He is even at the door.” One characteristic 
of the darkening of the sun, which is given 
as a sign of His coming, is found in Joel 
3:15. That prophet states that the sun, the 
moon, and the stars, should all be darkened. 
«‘The sun and the moon shall be darkened, and 
the stars shall withdraw their shining.” The 
accounts of the dark day in 1780 agree with this. 
It appeared to those who witnessed the phenom- 













































































































































































































































































































































































































































































i 





HISTORY IN THE SEALS. 


enon, that the darkness at its height could not 
have been more dense, had every luminary been 
blotted out of existence. One writer says, “The 
darkness of the following evening was probably 
as deep and dense as ever had been observed 
since the Almighty first gave birth to light. 
. . . A-sheet of white paper, held within a 
few inches of the eyes, was equally invisible with 
the blackest velvet. *. ~... 
this evening darkness was a fact universally ob- 
served and recorded.”’ (Devens, in “ Our First 
Century.”’) 

Amos witnesses to the fact that the night fol- 
lowing the darkening of the sun, would be dark 
also. That is to say, that the darkening of the 
sun and moon, to which the sixth seal has refer- 
ence, would be within the same twenty-four 
hours ; one day would be dark, and the night 
following, the moon would be dark also. The 
paragraph quoted above shows that -the darken- 
ing of the sun and moon on May 19, 1780, met 
these specifications. 

The prophet Isaiah gives one point to which 
none of the other writers refer. He says, “The 
sun shall be darkened in his going forth,” that is, 
in the morning. Amos 8:49 states that the dark- 
est portion. of the day would be at noon, and 
that this would take place on a clear day. Ezekiel 
states that a cloud would cover the face of the sun. 
Here are four peculiarities worthy of notice. 
The sign which the Lord placed in the heavens, 
could be easily read. Of all the dark days which 
history records, none, but the one in 1780, meets 
all these specifications. The morning would be 
clear, but during the morning a cloud would ob- 
scure the face of the sun. The darkness would 


The denseness, of 


123 


Now learn a parable of the fig 
tree ; When his branch is yet tender, 
and putteth forth leaves, ye know 
that summer is nigh : 

So likewise ye, when ye shall see 
all these things, know that it is 
near, even at the doors. 

Matt. 24:32, 33- 


Then shall be great tribulation, 
such as was not since the beginning 
of the world to this time, no, nor 
ever shall be. Matt. 24:21. 

Luke 21 : 28-33. 

Gen. 1: 14. 

The Lord said unto Moses, 
Stretch out thine hand toward 
heaven, that there may be darkness 
over the land of Egypt, even dark— 
ness which may be felt. 

And Moses stretched forth his 
hand toward heaven ; and there was 
a thick darkness in all the land of 
Egypt three days. 

Ex. 10:21, 22. 

The fifth angel poured out his 
vial upon the seat of the beast; 
and his kingdom was full of dark- 
ness ; and they gnawed their tongues 
for pain. Rey. 16:10. 


Shall a trumpet be blown in the 
city, and the people not be afraid? 
shall there be evil in a city, and 
the Lord hath not done it? 

Surely the Lord God will do 
nothing, but he revealeth his secret 
unto his servants the prophets. 

Amos 3 :6, 7. 


Hold thy peace at the presence of 
the Lord God: for the day of the 
Lord is at hand: for the Lord hath 
prepared a sacrifice, he hath bid 
his guests. 

And it shall come to pass in the 
day of the Lord’s sacrifice, that I 
will punish the princes, and the 
king’s children, and all such as are 
clothed with strange apparel. 

Tm the same day also will I pun- 
ish all those that leap on the thresh- 
old, which fill their masters’ houses 
with violence and deceit. 

Zeph. 1:7-9. 


124 _STORY 


Gather yourselves together, yea, 
gather together, O nation not de- 
sired ; 

Before the decree bring forth, be- 
fore the day pass as the chaff, before 
the fierce anger of the Lord come 
upon you, before the day of the 
Lord’s anger come upon you. 

Seek ye the Lord, all ye meek of 
the earth, which have wrought his 
judgment ; seek righteousness, seek 
meekness: it may be ye shall be 
hid in the day of the Lord’s anger. 

Zeph, 2 :1-3. 


The earth shall quake before 
them ; the heavens shall tremble 
the sun and the moon shall be dark, 
and the stars shall withdraw their 
shining : 

And the Lord shall utter his 
voice before his army: for his 
camp is very great : for he is strong 
that executeth his word: for the 
day of the Lord is great and very 
terrible ; and who can abide it? 

Joel 2:10, rr, 


“The dark day of Northern 
America was one of those wonderful 
phenomena of nature which will 
always be read of with interest, but 
which philosophy is at a loss to 
explain,’’—Herschel, 


Therefore thus will I do unto 
thee, O Israel: and because I will 
do this unto thee, prepare to meet 
thy God, O Israel. Amos 4212. 


And the stars of heaven fell unto 
the earth, evenas a fig tree cast- 
eth her untimely figs, when she is 
shaken of a mighty wind. 

Rev, 6:13. 


OF THE SEER OF PATMOS. 





increase until it reached its greatest density about 
noon, On these points “ Our First Century,” 
the work before referred to, states: “The time 
of the commencement of this extraordinary dark- 
ness, was between the hours of ten and eleven 
in the forenoon on Friday, of the date already 
named [May 19, 1780]. As to the manner of 
its approach, the darkness seemed to appear first 
of all in the southwest. The wind came from 
that quarter, and the darkness appeared to come 
on with the clouds. . . . The sun, rising 
towards the zenith, gave no increase of light, as 
usual; but, on the contrary, the darkness continued 
to increase until between eleven and twelve 
o’clock, at which time there was the greatest ob- 
scurity in that place.” Speaking of another local- 
ity the same writer says, “At twelve the darkness 
was greatest. Lights were seen burning in all 
the houses; . . . the birds in the midst of their 
blithesome forenoon engagements, stopped sud- 
denly, and singing their evening songs, disap- 
peared and became silent; the fowls retired to 
their roosts, the cocks were crowing in their 
accustomed manner at the break of day.” The 
day was not intensely black as if there were no 
sun, but as stated in Rev. 6:12, “the sun became 
black as sackcloth of hair.’’ Sackcloth of hair is 
made of goat hair, and is black mingled with 
gray. John is the only one who mentions this 
feature. 

Joel and John prophesied that the moon would 
be turned into blood. Those who witnessed the 
dark night, say that when the moon appeared, 
near the morning, it was a blood-red ball in the 
heavens. 

The peculiar features of the special falling of 


PUSTOR YIN THE SEALS. 


the stars, which God gave as a sign, are given 
by John. They should fall from heaven “as a 


fig tree casteth. her untimely figs, when she is 
Extensive and mag- 


shaken of a mighty wind.” 
nificent showers of 
shooting stars have 
been known to oc- 
cur at various 
places in modern 
times ; but the most 
universal and won- 
derful which has 
ever been recorded is that of the 
13th of November, 1833, the whole 
firmament, over all the United 
States, being then for hours in fiery 
commotion. As a fig tree covered 
with green fruit being violently 
shaken sends the fruit in all directions, so from 
one center in the sky, the stars fell in showers 
in every direction. 

Since 1755 the inhabitants of the earth have 
been living under the sixth seal. In the heav- 
ens and on the earth, signs have appeared, which 
show that time is short. This period has been 
a time of great intellectual hght. Men, by their 
discoveries and inventions, have made rapid 
transit and speedy communication between dif- 
ferent lands possible. Since “ the tribulation of 
those days,” the light of truth has been shining 
in steady rays upon God’s people. At no time, 
save when Christ was born, has greater light 
shone upon the world. Some will accept a 
spiritual life, while others will find very soon 
that should the Lord come, it would be to them 
a time of darkness and despair. The sixth seal 


125 


The great day of the Lord is near, 
it is near, and hasteth greatly, even 
the voice of the day of the Lord: 
the mighty man shall cry there 
bitterly. Zeph. 1:14. 





** As a fig tree casteth her untimely figs.’’ 


Every man that hath this hope in 
him purifieth himself, even as he is 
pure. 1 John 3:3. 


Dan. 12: 4. 


The chariots shall rage in the 
streets, they shall justle one against 
another in the broad ways: they 
shall seem like torches, they shall 
run like the lightnings. 

Nahum 2:4. 


I will bring distress upon men, 
that they shall walk like blind men, 
because they have sinned against 
the Lord: and their blood shall be 
poured out as dust, and their flesh 
as the dung. 

Neither their silver nor their 
gold shall be able to deliver them 
in the day of the Lord’s wrath. 

Zeph, 1:17, 18. 


And the heaven departed as a 
scroll when itis rolled together: 
and every mountain and island 
were moved out of their places. 

Rev. 6:74, 


. 


126 STORY 


Psa. 82:5. 
Gen. 2:6. 
Gen. 7:11. 


And the kings of the earth, and 
the great men, and the rich men, 
and the chief captains, and the 
mighty men, and every bondman, 
and every free man, hid them- 
selves in the dens and in the rocks 
of the mountains ; 

And said to the mountains and 
rocks, Fall on us, and hide us from 
the face of him that sitteth on 
the throne, and from the wrath of 
the Lamb: 

For the great day of his wrath 
is come; and who shall be able to 
stand? Rev. 6:16-17. 


2 Pet. 3:10." 


They shall go into the holes of 
the rocks, and into the caves of the 
earth, for fear of the Lord, and for 
the glory of his majesty, when he 
ariseth to shake terribly the earth. 

In that day a man shall cast his 
idols of silver, and his idols of gold, 
which they made each one for him- 
self to worship, to the moles and 
to the bats, Isa. 2: 19, 20. 


Isa. 33:15. 
Psa. 24: 4-6. 


OF THE SEER OF PATMOS. 





looks forward to the very end, when the heaven: 
depart as a scroll rolled together ; and when the 
mountains and islands are moved out of their 
places. When sin entered the world, the course 
of nature was changed. The atmosphere, once 
agreeable to the senses of man, now chilled him; 
the moisture, at first distilled as the dew, finally 
came in torrents from the sky, and the fountains 
of the great deep were broken up. The earth 
itself was turned from its original position, at 
the time of the flood; vast portions were made 
uninhabitable on account of the cold and the 
vast amount of water left on the surface. At 
the sound of the voice of the Son of man, the 
elements of the atmosphere will be rearranged, 
the high places will be brought low, and islands 
will be moved from their positions. 

At that time those who have put their trust 
in idols of gold rather than in their Maker, and 
those who have exalted humanity above Divinity, 
will in terror seek to be hidden by rocks and 
mountains from the piercing gaze of Him who 
sits upon the throne. There is now a time of 
probation. All may know the time of God’s 
visitation, for we are walled about by the signs 
given by Jehovah. We cannot lose ourselves ; 
for the dates 1755, 1780, and 1833, are as 
clearly marked as the close of the twelve hun- 
dred and sixty years, and the twenty-three hun- 
dred years of the book of Daniel. 

«Who shall be able to stand?” He that 
hath clean hands, and a pure heart; who hath 
not lifted up his soul unto vanity, nor sworn de- 
ceitfully. He shall receive the blessing from 
the Lord, and righteousness from the God of his 
salvation.” 


“The great day of His wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand?” 











CHAPTER: VIII. 


THE SEALING WORK. 


THE seventh chapter of the book of Revela- 
tion continues the description of events taking 
place under the sixth seal. Already the signs, 
which prophecy foretold would appear in the 
heavens, have been seen. Not only did men_ 
witness the phenomena, but as early as 1844, 
and since that time, these things have been rec- 
ognized as signs of the second appearing of the 
Son of man, and as such, have been preached 
before all the world. When the Saviour was 
giving the signs by which men should know of 
the approach of the sécond advent, He men- 
tions, in addition to the strange appearance in 
the heavens, “upon the earth distress of nations, 
with perplexity.” This distress of nations follows 
the falling of the stars, and as it is the subject 
with which the seventh chapter of Revelation is 
introduced, it places that chapter, when consid- 
ered chronologically, between the thirteenth and 
fourteenth verses of the sixth chapter of Reve- 


lation. 


Let them bring them forth, and 
shew us what shall happen: let 
them shew the former things, what 
they be, that we may consider them 
and know the latter end of them; 
or declare us things for to come. 

Isa. 41 322, 26, 


Go ye therefore, and teach all na- 
tions. Matt. 28:19. 


There shall be signs in the sun, 
and in the moon, and in the stars ; 
and upon the earth distress of na- 
tions, with perplexity ; the sea and 
the waves roaring ; 

Men’s hearts failing them for fear, 
and for looking after those things 
which are coming on the earth: for 
the powers of heaven shall be 
shaken, Luke 21:25, 26. 


127 


128 STORY 


And after these things | saw 
four angels standing on the four 
corners of the earth, holding the 
four winds of the earth, that the 
wind should not blow on the earth, 
nor on the sea, nor on any tree. 


Rev. 7:1. 
Zech, 14 9. 
God is the King of all the earth. 
Psa. 4727. 
Heb. 1:14. 


Psa. 103 20. 


I will shew thee that which is 
noted in the scripture of truth: and 
there is none that holdeth with me 
in these things, but Michael your 
prince. Dan, 10:21, 


Psa. 34:7. 
Matt. 18:10, 


The king of the north shall come 
against him like a whirlwind, with 
chariots, and with horsemen, and 
with many ships ; and he shall en- 
ter into the countries, and shall 
overflow and pass over. 

Dan, 11: 40, 


Woe to the multitude of many 
people, which make a noise like the 
noise of the seas ; and to the rush- 
ing of nations, that make a rushing 
like the rushing of mighty waters! 

The nations shall rush like the 
rushing of many waters: but God 
shall rebuke them, and they shall 
flee far off, and shall be chased as 
the chaff of the mountains before 
the wind, and like a rolling thing 
before the whirlwind. 


Isa. 07512, X30 


Rev. 13:8. 
Gen. 4:3, 4. 
Rev. 12: 14-16, 
Isa. 60: 16. 
Isa, 61 36, 


OF THE SEER OF PATMOS. 


“ After these things,” that is, after the oc. 


currence of the signs mentioned in Rey. 6: 12, 
13, “I saw four angels standing on the four 
corners of the earth, holding the four winds 
of the earth.” 
opened to his mind the workings of the govern- 
ment of God, and the work of the angels was re- 
vealed as he watched the loosening of the seals. 
«‘ Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth 
to minister for them who shall be heirs of salva- 
tion?” Angels who excel in strength, do the 
bidding of Jehovah, hearkening unto the voice 
of His word. Gabriel, the angel of prophecy, is 
by no means the only one who has a specifically 
assigned task. ‘To John are shown four of these 
heavenly beings, standing on the four corners of 
the globe, holding the winds that they might not 
blow. Winds symbolize war or contention. 
There has been more than one war in the past, 
as well as more than one dark day ; but at a cer- 
tain period of time, there should be a distress of 
nations differing from all previous international 


troubles. 


In the opening of the fifth seal, when the 
church as a church came from the Dark Ages, 
two great principles born of the Reformation, 
and cutting short the persecuting power, finally 
made martyrdom impossible. These two princi- 
ples then came into existence under the names 
of Protestantism and democracy. Protestant- 
ism, representing the religious phase of society ; 
democracy, or the principle which recognizes 
the equal rights of all mankind, representing the 
civil government. In other words, the results of 
the sixteenth century Reformation were not seen 
alone in the organization of Protestant churches; 





John’s view of heaven had 





THE SEALING WORK. 


but there was at the same timea protest against 
the absolute monarchy which had borne sway 
for a thousand years. Under these conditions 
the salvation of the cause demanded a new soil 
for the cultivation of freedom. For this purpose 
God had already opened America and Southern 
Africa. The South African colonies failed to 
profit by their opportunities, but in America 
both Protestantism and democracy —freedom to 
worship, and the equal rights of men in civil 
affairs,—blossomed and bore fruit in the Consti- 
tution of the United States. During the first 
half century of this nation’s existence, it was 
watched with a most critical eye by monarchs 
and statesmen of Europe. But as the govern- 
ment grew stronger, and one state after another 
was added ; as its ministers received recognition 
in foreign courts; and as its products were 
sought in foreign markets, the people of Euro- 
pean governments saw, that democracy was no 
longer an experiment, but a possibility. 
There was restlessness in Europe. From the 
days of Napoleon, France was divided in its 
opinions, and the desire for a representative gov- 
emment, was more than once made known. 
Any manifestation on the part of subjects in all 
European countries was jealously watched by 
‘the sovereigns, and all uprisings were put down 
with unusual severity. The elements were gath- 
ering for a storm, the low mutterings of distant 
thunder were heard ; yet each ruler tried to con- 
vince himself that his throne was secure. 
France, fortunate or unfortunate, as one may 
choose to view the matter, appears, however, to 
have been the center from which the waves of 
commotion started. In 1830 the French minis- 


9 


129 


He increaseth the nations, and 
destroyeth them: he enlargeth the 
nations, and straiteneth them again. 

He taketh away the heart of the 
chief of the people of the earth, and 
causeth them to wander in a wilder- 
ness where there is no way. 

Job. 12:23, 24. 

Rulers are not a terror to good 
works, but to the evil. Wilt thou 
then not be afraid of the power? do 
that which is good, and thou shalt 
have praise of the same : 

For he is the minister of God to 
thee for good. But if thou do that 
which is evil, be afraid; for he 
beareth not the sword in vain: for 
he is the minister of God, a re- 
venger to execute wrath upon him 
that doeth evil. Rom. 13 :3, 4. 


. Asa roaring lion, and a ranging 
bear ; sois a wicked ruler over the 
poor people. Prov. 28:15. 
Thou hast increased the nation, 
O Lord, thou hast increased the na- 
tion: thou art glorified : thou hadst 
removed it far unto all the ends of 
the earth. Isa. 26:15. 


There is one come out of thee, 
that imagineth evil against the Lord, 
a wicked counsellor. 

Nahum r:rr. 


Thou hast multiplied the nation, 
and not increased the joy: they joy 
before thee aceording to the joy in 
harvest, and as men rejoice when 
they divide the spoil. Isa. 9:3. 

He stretched out his hand over 
the sea, he shook the kingdoms. 

Isa. 23 : 11. 

This matter is by the decree of 
the watchers, and the demand by 
the word of the holy ones: to the 
intent that the living may know 
that the most High ruleth in the 
kingdom of men, and giveth it to 
whomsoever he will, and setteth up 
over it the basest of men. 

Dan. 4:17. 


All people, nations, and lan- 
guages, trembled and feared before 
him : whom he would he slew ; and 
whom he would he kept alive ; and 
whom he would he set up: and 
whom he would he put down. 

Dan. 5:19. 


130 


Shall the throne of iniquity have 
fellowship with thee, which frameth 
mischief by a law? 

They gather themselves together 
against the soul of the righteous, 
and condemn the innocent blood. 

But the Lord is my defence ; and 
my God is the rock of my refuge. 

And he shall bring upon them 
their own iniquity, and shall cut 
them off in their own wickedness ; 
yea, the Lord our God shall cut 
them off. Psa. 94 : 20. 


The wrath of a king is as messen- 


gers of death. Psa. 94: 20-23. 





Arch of Triumph, Paris. 


He who smote the people in wrath 
with a continual stroke, he that 
Tuled the nations in anger, is perse- 
cuted, and none hindereth. 

Isa. 14:6, 


. 


Therefore shall evil come upon 
thee: thou shalt not know from 
whence it risetn : and mischief shall 
fall upon thee; thou shalt not be 
able to put it off: and desolation 
shali come upon thee suddenly, 
which thou shalt not know. 

Isa. 47:11, 


STORY OF THE SEER OF PATMOS. 





try, fearing that too much authority was being 
exercised by the Chamber of Deputies, issued an 
ordinance declaring all recent elections illegal, 
restricting suffrage, and limiting the freedom of 
the press. This act was met by mob violence, 
and resulted in the unseating of the reigning 
monarch and the enthroning of a new French 
king, who, because he was crowned by the mid- 
dle classes, was called the “ citizens’ king.” The 
name was significant. The common people were © 
coming into power, 
and had nations 
followed the lead- 
ings of Providence, 
there might have 
been, in the next 
few years, a peace- 
ful reorganization 
of Europe. In- 
stead, however, the 
people, especially 
of dependent coun- 
tries and provinces, 
| were oppressed. 
But the French up- 
rising had its effect. 
‘In Saxony and in the minor states of Germany, 
disturbances were consequent on the tidings of 
the revolution at Paris.” In Poland there 
was an uprising, a result of the movement in 
Paris. One result traceable to the French 
trouble, occurred in the year 1832, when “ eight 
thousand Poles were sent to Siberia.” In Ger 
many, unity was foretold by the formation of the 
customs-union between 1828 and 1834. Upris- 
ings occurred in Italy, demanding independence 


THE SEALING WORK. 


and unity. In 1833 the system of slavery in 
the British colonies was abolished. In 1837 
Victoria became ruler of England; and the re- 
peal in 1846 of the Corn Laws, which imposed 
duties on imported grains, was an omen of the 
increasing liberality of the British government. 
Events might be multiplied, to show the sharp 
division between those who favored popular 
rights and those who still fought for the divine 
right of kings. 

The internal pressure became greater. It was 
recognized by all that some settlement must 
soon be reached. The climax came, when in 
1848, mob violence again broke out in France. 
For two years there had been a scarcity of food, 
and the rabble rebelled against all authority. 
The king, Louis Phillippe, abdicated, and escaped 
to England. Except for the courage and firm- 
ness of a few French statesmen, who guided 
affairs through this critical period, the scenes of 
the Revolution of 1789, would have been re- 
peated. The soldiers fraternized with the mob. 
Only through the wisest management, a socialis- 
tic Directory was avoided. Instead, the motion 
for a provisional government, prevailed. A con- 
stitution was adopted which provided for a pres- 
ident who should serve for a term of four years. 
Louis Napoleon was elected first president of 
the new French Republic. This was the event- 
ful year of 1848. Judson, in his work entitled 
«Europe in the Nineteenth Century,” says this 
revolution “was like a lighted match touched 
to the dry prairie grass after a drought. The 
flames flashed at once throughout the continent.” 
In Germany “new ministries were installed 
which were pledged toa liberal policy.” “ Prus- 


131 


Righteousness exalteth a nation - 
but sin is a reproach to any people. 
Prov. 14-34. 


Thou, O king, art a king of 


-kings : for the God of heaven hath 


given thee a kingdom, power, and 
Strength, and glory. Dan. 2:37. 


The balances of deceit are in his 
hand : he loveth to oppress. 
Hos, 12:7. 


So I returned, and considered all 
the oppressions that are done un- 
der the sun: and behold the tears 
of such as were oppressed, and 
they had no comforter ; and on the 
side of their oppressors there was 
power ; but they had no comforter, 

Eccl. 4:1. 

Eze. 14:13. 

Her princes are become like harts 
that find no pasture, and they are 
gone without strength before the 
pursuer. Lam. 1 :6. 


There was a little city, and few 
men within it; and there came 
great king against it, and besieged 
it, and built great bulwarks against 
it: ’ 

Now there was found in it a poor 
wise man, and he by his wisdom de- 
livered the city ; yet no manremem 
bered that same poor man. 

Then said I, Wisdom is better 
than strength. Eccl. 9: 14-16. 

He that handleth a matter wisely 
shall find good. Prov. 16:20. 


But mine enemies are lively, and 
they are strong: and they that hate 
me wrongfully are multiplied. 

They also that render evil for 
good are mine adversaries, 

Psa. 38:19, 20. 


132 STORY 


Wisdom and knowledge shall be 
the stability of thy times. 
Isa. 33 : 6. 


Lift not up your horn on high: 
speak not with a stiff neck. 

For promotion cometh neither 
from the east, nor from the west, 
nor from the south, % 

But God is the judge: he putteth 
down one, and setteth up another. 

Psa. 75 : 5-7. 


There is no king saved by the 
multitude of an host: a mighty man 
is not delivered by much strength. 

Psa. 33 : 16. 





Louis Napoleon, 


And I saw another angel ascend- 
ing from the east, having the seal 
of the living God: and he cried 
with a loud voice to the four an- 
gels, to whom it was given to hurt 
the earth and the sea, 

Saying, Hurt not the earth, nei- 
ther the sea, nor the trees, till we 
have sealed the servants of our 
God in their foreheads, 

Rev. 7:2, 8, 


Rev. 1429-12. 


OF THE SEER OF PATMOS. 





sia and Austria were thoroughly disturbed by the 
movement for freedom and national unity.” In 
Germany nearly five hundred men gathered, de- 
termined to organize a provisional government. 
The disturbances in Prussia, forced the king to 
swear to maintain a new constitution. Both 
Hungary and Vienna revolted, and this furnished 
the long coveted occasion for the Italians to 
throw off Austrian rule. Thus, in a brief period 
of time, many crowned heads of Europe sub- 
mitted themselves to the people. 

In the midst of the turmoil and strife, came a 
~ sudden calm. No man could assign 
any reason for it. Like the troubled 
waters of Gennesaret when Christ 
spoke peace out of the storm, tumult 
and confusion ceased. The four an- 
gels had been stationed on the earth 
to hold the winds of strife till the 
servants of God could be sealed. 
Europe had been wrought upon until 
the power of an absolute monarchy 
was practically a thing of the past. 
There was now an opportunity for 
the ripening of the principles of the 
Reformation. The closing work in . 
the earth, will be a continuation of the 
movement set on foot when the darkness of 
the Middle Ages was broken. God has pre- 
pared the earth for the rapid spread of the 
Gospel, and the sealing work is now going on. 

«« And I saw another angel ascending from the 
east, having the seal of the living God: and he 
cried with a loud voice to the four angels, . . 
saying, ‘Hurt not the earth, neither the sea, nor 
the trees, till we have sealed the servants of our 


THE SEALING WORK. 


God in their foreheads.’” Nations are repre- 
sented as being held in check by the angels of 
heaven until the servants of God are sealed. 
Men are led to ask, “‘ What is this seal placed 
upon the foreheads by which God recognizes His 
servants?” God’s chosen people are always a 
peculiar people ; they are called to be a nation 
of kings, a royal priesthood, who show forth the 
virtues of their Commander. Jehovah looks not 
on the outward appearance, but weighs charac- 
ter, and places His seal on those whose hearts 
are right toward Him. When Abraham was 
called to become the founder of a nation, God 
gave. to him “the sign of circumcision, a seal 
of the righteousness of the faith which he had.” 
To the seed of Abraham, who live in the time 
of the end, the same God gives a sign, or seal, 
of the righteousness of the faith which they have. 
This seal comes not because of boasted pride, or 
self-supremacy, but by simple faith in the prom- 
ises of God, as a child learns from its mother. 
Christ, looking up to heaven, said, “I thank 
thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, be- 
cause thou hast hid these things from the wise 
and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes.” 
This sign or seal, is a direct revelation from God, 
to those who will accept with the faith of a little 
child. <‘ Flesh and blood hath not revealed it 
unto thee, but My Father which is in heaven.” 
That which the Father and Son alone can re- 
veal is a knowledge of God, and this knowledge 
of God, is the seal placed in the foreheads of 
the chosen generation. To this, Paul testifies in 
the words, “The foundation of God standeth 
sure, having this seal, the Lord knoweth them 
that are His.’?- The seal then is the knowledge 


133 


Who gave himself for us, that he 
might redeem us from all iniquity, 
and purify unto himself-a peculiar 
people, zealous of good works. 

Titus 2:14. 

x Pet. 2:9. 


Look not upon his countenance, 
or on the height of his stature ; be- 
cause I have refused him: for the 
Lord seeth not as man seeth; for 
man looketh on the outward ap- 
pearance, but the Lord looketh on 
the heart. x Sam. 16:7. 

Rom. 4:11. 

Verily I say unto you, Except ye 
be converted, and become as little 
children, ye shall not enter into the 
kingdom of heaven. Matt. 18:3. 


Matt. 11:25. 
Matt. 16:17. 


This is life eternal, that they 
might know thee the only true God, 
and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast 
sent. John 17:3. 

2 Tim. 2:19. 

Eze. 20:20. 

If ye love me, keep my command- 
ments. John 14:15. 


Eze. 20 212. 


He that hath my commandments, 
and keepeth them, he it is that lov- 
eth me: and he that loveth me shall 
be loved of my Father, and I will 
love him, and will manifest myself 
to him. John 14:21. 


Ex. 31:13. 
Ex. 31:17. 


The gods that have not made the 
heavens and the earth, even they 
shall perish from the earth, and 
from under these heavens. 


He hath made the earth by his 
power, he hath established the 
world by his wisdom, and hath 
stretched out the heavens by his 
discretion. Jer. 10:14, 12, 


John 4:24. 


134 STORY 


The Lord said unto him, Go 
through the midst of the city, 
through the midst of Jerusalem, 
and set a mark upon the foreheads 
of the men that sigh and that cry 
for all the abominations that be 
done in the midst thereof. 

Eze. 9 24. 


Remember the sabbath day, to 
keep it holy. 

Six days shalt thou labour, and 
do all thy work: 

But the seventh day is the sab- 
bath of the Lord thy God: in it 
thou shalt not do any work, thou, 
nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy 
manservant, nor thy maidservant, 
nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that 
is within thy gates: 

For in six days the Lord made 
heaven and earth, the sea, and all 
that in themis, and rested the sev- 
enth day: wherefore the Lord 
blessed the sabbath day, and hal- 
lowed it. Ex, 20: 8-11. 


Gen. 2:2, 3. 
x. 34 22k 


If thou turn away thy foot from 
the sabbath, from doing thy pleas- 
ure on my holy day; and call the 
sabbath a delight, the holy of the 
Lord, honourable ; and shalt hon- 
our him, not doing thine own ways, 
nor finding thine own pleasure, nor 
speaking thine own words : 

Then shalt thou delight thyself 
in the Lord Isa. 58 : 13, 14. 





OF THE SEER OF PATMOS. 


of the true God, and this, Jehovah has placed in 
His Sabbath. ‘ Hallow My Sabbaths; and they 
shall be a sign between Me and you, that ye 
may know that I am the Lord your God.” 
“Moreover also I gave them My Sabbaths, to be 
a sign between Me and them, that they might 
know that Iam the Lord that sanctify them.” 
This seal is a sign of sanctification, and it is a 
sign forever. “Verily My Sabbaths ye shall 
keep: for it is a sign between Me and you 
throughout your generations.”” Again He says, 


‘It is a sign between Me and the children: of 


Israel forever: for in six days the Lord made 
heaven and earth, and on the seventh day He 
rested, and was refreshed.” This was spiritual 
rest, for *‘ God is a Spirit,’” and knows no rest 
but spiritual rest. The rest, the blessing, and 
the sanctification of the Sabbath of Jehovah are 
all spiritual, and only such as are living in a con- 
dition symbolized by the first seal, can rest as 
God rested. Such, and such alone, have a 
knowledge of God. The seal placed in the fore- 
head by the angel, cannot be read by man; only 
God and heavenly beings can read it. For this 
reason, no civil law can enforce Sabbath keep- 
ing. Man may keep the form one day in seven, _ 
but only a knowledge of God can give the seal 
in the forehead. Christ was a living commen- 
tary on true Sabbath observance, and the things 


‘which He did on that day, reveal the mind of 


God toward the children of men. ‘The seventh 
day is the Sabbath of the Lord thy God.” “On 
the seventh day God ended His work which He 
had made; and He rested on the seventh day 
from all His work which He had made. And 
God blessed the seventh day, and sanctified it.” 


THE SEALING WORK. 


In these texts, the day upen which God 
‘rested, and which He subsequently blessed and 
sanctified, is plainly stated to be the seventh 
day. And from that seventh day on which 
Jehovah rested, all future seventh days have in 
them the blessing and the sanctification. The 
use of the word sea/ directs the mind to a legal 
document. When a ruler’s seal is attached to a 
legal paper, that seal contains the name of the 
one in authority, his right to rule, and the terri- 
tory over which he rules. These features are 
all made prominent in the seal contained in the 
law of God. To-day the seal is usually placed, 
either at the beginning, or at the close of the 
decree or law; but in the divine law it is placed 
in the center, that nothing may be taken from, 
or added thereto. The fourth commandment 
reads: “Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it 
holy. Six days shalt thou labor, and do all thy 
work : but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the 
Lord thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work. 
. . . For in six days the Lord made heaven 
and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and 
rested the seventh day: wherefore the Lord 
blessed the Sabbath day, and hallowed it.” 
Herein lie the three specifications of a seal: 
first, the name,—the Lord thy God, Jehovah; 
second, the authority,—Creator; third, the ex- 
tent of territory,—the heavens and earth. Take 
away this command from the decalogue, and it 
would contain no seal. God’s right to rule 
rests in the fourth commandment, and the 
seal will be placed in the foreheads of those 
who thus know God. The knowledge of the 
creative and the redeeming power of God, is re- 
vealed by Christ in the fourth commandment of 
the decalogue. 


135 


Matt. 24 :20. 


Wherefore the law is holy, and 
the commandment holy, and just, 
Rom. 7:12. 


and good. 





Write ye also for the Jews, as it 
liketh you, in the king’s name, and 
seal it with the king’s ring : for the 
writing which is written in the 
king’s name, and sealed with the 
king’s ring, May no man reverse. 

Esther 8:8. 


Bind up the testimony, seal the 
law among my disciples. 
Isa. 8:16. 





Think not that I am come to de- 
stroy the law, or the prophets : I 
am not come to destroy, but to fulfil. 

For verily I say unto you, Till 
heaven and earth pass, one jot or 
one tittle shall in no wise pass from 
the law, till all be fulfilled. 

Matt. 5:17, 18. 


136 STORY 


Thus saith the Lord God; The 
gate of the inner court that looketh 
toward the east shall be shut the 
six working days; but on the sab- 
bath it shall be opened, and in the 
day of the new moon it shall be 
opened, Eze. 46:1. 


Ye shall keep my sabbaths, and 
reverence my sanctuary: I am the 
Lord. Lev. 19 : 30. 

That day was the preparation, 
and the sabbath drew on. 

And the women also, which came 
with him from Galilee, followed 
after, and beheld the sepulchre, and 
how his body was laid. 

And they returned, and prepared 
spices and ointments; and rested 
the sabbath day according to the 
commandment. Luke 23 : 54-56. 


And | heard the number of them 
which were sealed : and there were 
sealed an hundred and forty and 
four thousand of all the tribes of 
the children of Israel. 

Rev. 7 : 4. 

Here is the patience of the saints : 
here are they that keep the com- 
mandments of God, and the faith 


of Jesus. Rey. 149-12. 


Madest known unto them thy holy 
sabbath, and commandedst them 
precepts, statutes, and laws, by the 
hand of Moses thy servant. 

Neh. 9: 14. 


Blessed is the man that doeth 
this, and the son of man that layeth 
hold.on it; that keepeth the sab- 
bath from polluting it. 

Isa. 56:2. 

If some of the branches be broken 
off, and thou, being a wild olive 
tree, wert graffed in among them, 
and with them partakest of the root 
and fatness of the olive tree ; 

Boast not against the branches, 
But if thou boast, thou bearest not 
the root, but the root thee. 

Rom, 11:17, 18, 


Rom, 11:20. 


Blessed are they that do his com- 
mandments, that they may have 
right to the tree of life, and may 
enter in through the gates into the 
city. Rev. 22 : 14. 


OF THE SEER OF PATMOS. 





In 1848 the Angel from the East called to 
the four angels to hold the winds of war until 
the servants of God were sealed in their fore- 
heads. Since 1848, in the quiet which has 
prevailed among nations, light upon the Sabbath 
of Jehovah’s law, has been going to every nation 
of the earth. It began gently as the rising sun; 
it shines to-day with the clearness of the noon- 
day rays. Thousands, in all quarters of the 
globe testify to the saving health in the Sabbath 
observance. 

The number of the servants of our God is 
now being made up. “I heard the number of 
them which were sealed : and there were sealed 
an hundred and forty and four thousand of all 
the tribes of the children of Israel.” Character 
alone is the basis of the sealing work. The 
promise of the new earth was made to Abraham, 
Isaac, and Jacob ; -but the literal descendants of 
these patriarchs, failed to develop a character 
which would place upon them a seal of the living 
God, and they were rejected as a nation. Then 
the Gentiles, like branches from a wild olive 
tree, were, contrary to nature, grafted into the 
Jewish root; and those who bear fruit unto 
righteousness will partake of the inheritance 
once promised to Jews of the flesh. The places 
in the twelve tribes, which might have been 
filled by the direct descendants of Abraham, 
will be occupied by children by adoption. The 
attention of all heaven is directed toward this 
sealing work; for when it is over, the plan of 
redemption is completed. The one hundred 
and forty-four thousand are divided into classes 
called by the names of the twelve tribes of 
Israel. These are character names, and those 





THE SEALING WORK. 


who develop the character, will be classed under 
the tribe bearing a name indicating that charac- 
ter. To illustrate; “Issachar is a strong ass 
couching down between two burdens: and he 
saw that rest was good, and the land that it was 
pleasant ; and bowed his shoulder to bear, and 
became a servant unto tribute.” Burden bear- 
ers are here described. Those, who, looking 
forward to the promised future home are willing 
to couch of- 
ten beneath 
heavy bur- 
dens ; and like 
the patient 
ass, even bear 
double bur- 
dens, that the 
cause of God 
may prosper. 
They are free 
and happy in 
this service; and the cause of God 
would never move forward in the 
earth if it were not for these loyal bur- 
den bearers,—these faithful Issachars, 
spending their lives “couching down 
between two burdens,” while close by per- 
haps, are the representatives of Naphtali, whe 
bear no burdens. “ Naphtali is a hind let loose: 
he giveth goodly words.” Free and _light- 
hearted, he sees a thousand places where he can 
speak goodly words, and spring hastily to give a 
helping hand, that the representatives of Issa- 
char, bowed down under their heavy burdens, 
would never see, neither does God expect it of 
them. All are needed to make the number com- 





137 


How often would I have gath- 
ered thy children together, as a 
hen doth gather her brood under 
her wings, and ye would not! 

Luke 13 :34. 

Behold, the man clothed with 
linen, which had the inkhorn by his 
side, reported the matter, saying, 
I have done as thou hast com- 
manded me, Eze. 9:11. 


Of the tribe of Juda were sealed 
twelve thousand. Of the tribe of 
Reuben were sealed twelve thou- 
sand. Of the tribe of Gad were 
sealed twelve thousand. 

Of the tribe of Aser were sealed 
twelve thousand. Of the tribe of 
Nepthalim were sealed twelv= 
thousand. Of the tribe of Manas, 
Ses were sealed twelve thousand. 

Of the tribe of Simeon were 
Sealed twelve thousand. Of the 
tribe of Levi were sealed twelve 
thousand. Of the tribe of /ssa- 
char were sealed twelve thousand. 

Of the tribe of Zabulon were 
sealed twelve thousand. Of the 
tribe of Joseph were sealed twelve 
thousand. Of the tribe of Benja- 
min were sealed twelve thousand. 

Rev, 7 : 6-8. 

Gen. 49:14, 15. 

Gal. 2:9. 

Tsa. 9:6. 

Isa. 22 : 22, 

Of the children of Issachar, which 
were men that had understanding of 
the times, to know what Israel 
ought to do; the heads of them 
were two hundred; and all their 
brethren were at their command- 


ment. t Chron. 12 :32. 
Judges 5:15. 
Gen. 49:21. 
The words of the pure are pleas- 
ant words. Prov. 15 :26. 
Prov. 16:24. 


Psa. 119: 103. 
A soft answer turneth away wrath. 
Prov. 15:1. 
Naphtali were a people that jeop- 
arded their lives unto the death in 
the high places of the field. 
Judges 5 :18. 


138 STORY 


But now are they many members, 
yet but one body. 

And the cye cannot say unto the 
hand, I have no need of thee : nor 
again the head to the feet, I have 
noneed of you. 1 Cor, 12:20, 21. 


Gen. 49: 5-7. 

They shall teach Jacob thy judg- 
ments, and Isracl thy law: they 
shall put incense before thee, and 
whole burnt sacri=ce upon thine 
altar, Deut. 33 : 8-11. 


Gen. 49:3, 4. 

Deut. 33 :6. 

Gen. 49 : 8-12. 

Deut. 33:7. 

At the gates twelve angels, and 
names writtcn thereon, which are 
the names of the twelve tribes of 
the children of Israel. 

Rey. 21:12. 

Rev. 7 :5-8. 

Rev. 7: 6-8. 

Gen. 49: 16, 17. 

Thou sittest and speakest against 
thy brother ; thou slanderest thine 
own mother’s son. 

Psa. 50: 20-22. 


Whoso privily slandereth his 
neighbour, him will I cut off. 
Psa. ror 35. 


1 Kings 3 :7-28. 


Then he which had received the 
one talent came and said, Lord, I 
knew thee that thou art an hard man, 
reaping where thou hast not sown, 
and gathering where thou hast not 
strawed : 

And I was afraid, and went and 
hid thy talent in the earth: lo, 
there thou hast that is thine. 

His lord answered and said unto 
him, Thou wicked and slothful 
servant, thou knewest that I reap 
where I sowed not, and gather 
where I have not strawed : 

Thou oughtest therefore to have 
put my money to the exchangers, 
and then at my coming I should 
have received mine own with usury. 

Take therefore the talent from 


him, and give it unto him which’ 


hath ten talents, 
Matt. 25 : 24-28. 


OF THE SEER OF PATMOS, 





plete. Let not the burden bearer think, that be- 
cause he bears the heavy burdens he is the most 
important. He is only one twelfth part of the 
whole. One company will represent Levi, 
whose life seemed a failure through sin; and 
yet through victory in God, the Levites became 
teachers in Israel. And of unstable Reuben it 
is said, ‘Let Reuben live, and not die.” He 
became the “excellency of dignity, and the ex- 
cellency of power.” Judah represents the 
leaders, those before whom the others bow 
down. Every phase 
of the work 1s rep- 
resented, and the 
name of each tribe 
will be piaced on 
one of the gates of 
the city of God. 
The tribe of Dan 
is omitted in the 
final count, and two 
yortions are given 
to the family of 
Joseph to make up 
the twelve. Of 





be a serpent 
by the way, 
that biteth 

the horse heels. 


«Dan 
shall judge his people, as one of the tribes 


Dan it was said: 
of Israel. Dan shall be a serpent by the 
way, an adder in the path, that biteth the 
horse heels, so that his rider shall fall back- 
ward.” God purposed that Dan should judge 
Israel righteously. Keen observation, and 
quick discernment are necessary for a judge. 
These gifts were given to Dan, but instead of 
using them aright, he was “a serpent by the 
way, an adder in the path, that biteth the horse 
heels, so that his rider shall fall backward.” Tn 


THE SEALING WORK. 


other words, he became a backbiter, a cruel 
critic. The gift intended for a blessing, when 
perverted, became an injury, causing others to 
fall. The cruel critic, the one who always 
detects the evil in others and speaks of it first, 
has the gift of judgment misdirected. None 
who persist in this work, can ever enter the 
kingdom of heaven; for the ‘accuser of our 
brethren” was cast out of heaven once, and 
neither he, nor his representatives, will ever 
enter its shining portals again. 

Once more the prophet John was shown the 
end of the sixth seal. The creatures of God’s 
love were gathered from all ages. An innumer- 
able company of the redeemed were seen stand- 
ing before the throne and before the Lamb. 
They were clothed with the robes of Christ’s 
righteousness; but throughout eternity, they 
will remember that both robes and palms are 
the result of the sacrifice of the Son of God. 
With one voice the song rings through heaven, 
«Salvation to our God which sitteth upon the 
throne, and unto the Lamb.” The redeemed 
host sing the song of their experience ; and the 
angels who are acquainted with each individual, 
the.four and twenty elders, and the four beasts 
who have had a similar experience, respond to 
the mighty chorus. 

Then, as if again to call attention to the little 
company who have suffered most, one elder, 
pointing to the one hundred and forty-four thou- 
sand, said, “ What are these which are arrayed 
in white robes? and whence came they?” He 
answers his own question, saying, ‘These are 
they which came out of great tribulation, and 
have washed their robes and made them white 


139 


Rev. 12! 10. 


After this | beheld, and, lo, a 
great multitude, which no man 
could number, of all nations, and 
kindreds, and people, and tongues, 
stood before the throne, and before 
the Lamb, clothed with white 
robes, and palms in their hands; 

And cried with a loud voice, say- 
ing, Salvation to our God which 
sitteth upon the throne, and unto 
the Lamb. 

And all the angels stood round 
about the throne, and about the 
elders and the four beasts, and fell 
before the throne on their faces, 
and worshipped God. 

Rev. 7 : 9-11. 


Saying, Amen: Blessing, and 
glory, and wisdom, and thanksgiv- 
ing, and honour, and power, and 
might, be unto our God for ever 
and ever. Amen. 

And one of the elders answered, 
saying unto me, What are these 
which are arrayed in white robes? 
and whence came they? 

And | said unto him, Sir, thou 
knowest. And he said to me, 
These are they which came out of 
great tribulation, and have washed 
their robes, and made them white 
in the blood of the Lamb. 

Therefore are they before the 
throne of God, and serve him day 
and night in his temple: and he 
that sitteth on the throne shall 
dwell among them. 

Rev. 7 :12-16., 


Heb. 5:8, 9 


To him that overcometh will I 
grant to sit with me in my throne, 
even as I also overcame, and am 
set down with my Father in his 
throne. Rev. 3:21. 


140 


The Lord said unto Satan, Hast 
thou considered my servant Job, 
that there is none like him in the 
earth, a perfect and an upright man, 
one that feareth God, and eschew- 
eth evil? : Job 1:8. 

1 John 3:2, 3. 

The prince of this world cometh, 
and hath nothing in me. 

John 14:30. 

Thou art the anointed cherub 
that covereth ; and I have set thee 
so: thou wast upon the holy moun- 
tain of God; thou hast walked up 
and down in the midst of the stones 
of fire, Eze. 28 : 14. 


The great dragon was cast out, 
that old serpent, called the Devil, 
and Satan, which deceiveth the 
whole world: he was cast out into 
the earth, and his angels were cast 
out with him, Rev. 12:9. 


I heard a great voice out of 
heaven saying, Behold, the taber- 
nacle of God is with men, and he 
will dwell with them, and they shall 
be his people, and God himself 
shall be with them, and be their 
God. Rev. 21:3. 


Because thou hast kept the word 
of my patience, I also will keep 
thee from the hour of temptation, 
which shall come upon all the 
world, to try them that dwell upon 
the earth. 


They shall feed in the ways, and 
their pastures shall be in all high 
places. 

They shall not hunger nor thirst ; 
neither shall the heat nor sun smite 
them: for he that hath mercy on 
them shall lead them, even by the 
springs of water shall he guide 
them. Isa. 49:9, 10. 


Heb. 11:27. 


Rev. 3 : 10, 


They shall hunger no more, nei=- 
ther thirst any more ; neither shall 
the sun light on them, nor any 
heat. 

For the Lamb which is in the 
midst of the throne shall feed 
them, and shall lead them unto liv- 
ing fountains of waters: and God 
shall wipe away all tears from 
their eyes. Rev. 7:16, 17. 


STORY OF THE SEER OF PATMOS. 





in the blood of the Lamb.” The Saviour 
Himself was made perfect through suffering, 
and, as a man, gained the place on the throne 
beside the Father; because He overcame. The 
life of the one.hundred and forty-four thousand 
is pictured in the experiences of the apostles 
who lived nearest to the Saviour when He was 
upon earth. Because they have lived as He 
lived, and passed. through the trials which He 
endured, and Satan has been forced to acknowl- 
edge that he found none of his own nature in 
them, “therefore are they before the throne of 
God, and serve Him day and night in His tem- 
ple: and He that sitteth on the throne shall 
dwell among them.” 

Before the rebellion in heaven, Lucifer was a 
covering cherub, standing always in the pres- 
ence of God. In his fall he took with him a 
multitude of angels. The place once occupied 
by Satan and his angels, will be filled by the 
hundred and forty-four thousand, when they 
gather at last about the throne, where they 
serve God day and night in His temple, with 
God Himself dwelling in their midst. This is 
their reward for the hunger and thirst endured 
on earth. They form the bodyguard of their 
Saviour, and He leads them to the foun- 
tain of living waters. They, who, on earth 
clung to the knowledge of God when the 
world was given over to idolatry, have an in- 
finity of truth to learn, and endless ages for. 
growth and development. “The fear of the 
Lord is the beginning of wisdom.” That begin- 
ning was made here on earth, when, to be true 
to the knowledge of God, men ofttimes suffered 
hunger and thirst, tribulation and persecution. 


THE SEALING WORK. 


But he who endures as seeing Him who is 
invisible—the Lamb, who is in the presence of 
God, will one day be filled with the knowledge 
of the Lord. In that day the tears of earth 
will be wiped away by the joys of eternity. 
« Neither shall the sun light on them, nor any 
heat.” On earth they have felt the heat of the 
sun’s rays, and although, after the restoration, 
the sunshine is sevenfold brighter than at pres- 
ent, yet the little company stand so near the 
throne, and are so enshrouded by the intense 
light of the Father and Son, that the sunlight is 
no longer noticeable. Thé appearance of one 
angel on earth dazzled the eyes of the centu- 
rion’s guard at the Saviour’s tomb, and they fell 
like dead men. Light is the result of an abun- 
dance of life. What must be the purity of 
those who partake of divinity to such a degree 
that they walk in the very presence of the 
Creator ? 5 
_ These are redeemed from among men. They 
come from the last generation,—that race which 
is almost extinct because of the prevalence of 
disease and sin. But the blood of the Lamb is 
all powerful, and places these next the throne. 
“Where sin abounded grace did much more 
abound.” The matchless love of Christ, who 
can understand! 


141 


Moreover the light of the moon 
shall be as the light of the sun, and 
the light of the sun shall be seven- 
fold, as the light of seven days. 

Isa. 30 326. 


Then shall the righteous shine 
forth as the sun in the kingdom of 
their Father, Matt. x3 : 43. 


The angel of the Lord descended 
from heaven, and came and rolled 
back the stone from the door, and 
sat upon it. 

His countenance was like light- 
ning, and his raiment white as snow : 

And for fear of him the keepers 
did shake, and became as dead men. 

Matt. 28 :2, 3. 


Who is a God like unto thee, that 
pardoneth iniquity, and passeth by 
the transgression of the remnant of 
his heritage? he retaineth not his 
anger for ever, because he delight- 
eth in mercy. Mic. 7 : 18. 

Rom, 5:20. 





Hurt not the earth, neither the 
sea, nor the trees, till we have 
sealed the servants of our God in 
their foreheads. Rev. 7 :3. 


Thou shalt love the Lord thy 
God with all thy heart, and with 
all thy soul, and with all thy mind. 

Matt. 22:37. 


That Christ may dwell in your 
hearts by faith; that ye, being 
rooted and grounded in love. 

Eph. 3°17. 


Then shall the King say unto them 
on his right hand, Come, ye blessed 
of my Father, inherit the kingdom 
prepared for you from the founda- 
tion of the world. Matt. 25 :34. 


And I looked, and, lo, a Lamb 
stood on the mount Sion, and with 
him an hundred forty and four thou- 
sand, having his Father’s name 
written in their foreheads. 

Rev. 14:1. 


142 


CHAPTER Ix. 


THE TRUMPETS. 


The closing work of the earth is the sealing 
of the servants of God. The universe is now 
waiting for that work to be completed. The 
only thing in heaven or earth that can hinder 
the work of God, is a lack of spirituality on the 
part of His chosen people. The kingdom 
over which Christ will reign will be a spiritual 
kingdom, and while many serve God in the 
mind, the subjects for whom Christ is now 
waiting, are those who serve with the whole 
heart. When it is fully demonstrated that the 
Spirit of the Eternal Father can dwell in man, 
then those who have overcome as Christ over- 
came, will inherit the kingdom prepared from 
the foundation of the world. The one hundred 
and forty-four thousand, together with the mul- 
titude of the saved, gathered about the throne 
and the Lamb on Mount Zion, were shown to 
the prophetic eye of John. The sixth seal 
closes when the one hundred and forty-four 
thousand have received the seal of God, and are 
waiting for the appearance of Christ in the 


THE TRUMPETS. 


clouds of heaven. The opening of the seventh 
seal is the ushering in of eternity. “And when 
He had opened-the seventh seal, there was 
silence in heaven about the space of half an 
hour.” God’s dwelling place is the center of 
life and the scene of constant activity. Music 
ever echoes from the vaults of heaven, and 
choruses composed of ten thousand times ten 
thousand of angel voices, sing the praises of the 
Lamb and of Him who sitteth: on the throne. 
When the little company on earth are prepared, 
the sealing angel speeds back to heaven with 
the message that the work is done. Christ in 
the sanctuary above, lays aside His priestly 
robes, and the Lamb appears as the King of 
kings. Angel leaders marshal the hosts of 
heaven. The throne of Omnipotence is moved. 
God accompanies His Son to earth. Attended 
by myriads of angels, the Rulers of heaven and 
earth leave heaven empty, drawn earthward by 
the faithful ones whose hearts have become the 
abiding place of His eternal Spirit. The time 
for the fulfillment of the promise of the Saviour, 
has come. He said, “It is expedient for you 
that I go away.” “I go to prepare a place for 
you. And if I go and preparea place for you, I 
will come again, and receive you unto Myself; 
that where I am, there ye may be also.” Never 
before has there been such a scene. 

This is the cause of the silence in heaven. 
Those who have been torn asunder by the ruth- 
less hand of death, meet in the air around their 
Deliverer. Some had been burned at the stake; 
others had perished in dungeons; others had 
been buried in the sea. Happy families, rent 
asunder by the cruel hand of death, are now 


143 


Lo, this is our God; we have 
waited for him, and he will save us: 
this is the Lord; we have waited 
for him, we will be glad and rejoice 
in his salvaticn. Isa. 25:9. 


And when he had opened the sev- 
enth seal, there was silence in 
heaven about the space of half an 
hour. Rev, 8:1. 

Isa. 42:5. 

Job 33:4. 

His throne was like the fiery 
fiame, and his wheels as buming 
fire. 

A fiery stream issued and came 
forth from before him: thousand 
thousands ministered unto him, and 
ten thousand times ten thousand 
stood before him. Dan. 739, 10. 

And, behold, the man clothed 
with linen, which had the inkhorn 
by his side, reported the matter, 
saying, I have done as thou hast 
commanded me. Eze. 9:11. 

Lev. 16:23. 

Isa. 63 :3. 

And he hath on his vesture and 
on his thigh a name written, KING 
OF KINGS, AND LORD OF 
LORDS. Rev. 19 : 16. 

Rev. 19: 14. 

Looking for that blessed hope, 
and the glorious appearing of tlie 
great God and our Saviour Jesus 
Christ. Titus 2:13. 

When the Son of man shall come 
in his glory, and all the holy angels 
with him. Matt. 25 :31. 

John 16:7. 

John 14: 1-3. 

This same Jesus, which is taken 
up from you into heaven, shall so 
come in like manner as ye have seer 
him go into heaven. 

‘Acts 1 :g-11. 

Deut. 4:32, 33. 

Heb. 12: 22-24. 

That he might be the firstborn 
among many brethren. 

Rom. 8 :29. 

Rejoice, because your names are 
written in heavea. Luke 10:20, 


Heb. 9:15. 


144 


For the Lord himself shall de- 
scend from heaven with a shout, 
with the voice of the archangel, and 
with the trump of God: and the 
dead in Christ shall rise first ; 

Then we witch are alive and re- 
main shall be caught up together 
with them in the clouds, to meet the 
Lord in the air: and so shall we 
ever be with the Lord. 

~ x Thess. 4:16, 17. 


Heb. 11 :33-39. 


He will swallow up death in vic- 
tory ; and the Lord God will wipe 
away tears from off all faces ; and 
the rebuke of his people shall he 
take away from off all the earth: 
for the Lord hath spoken it. 

Isa. 25 : 8. 


Rey. 8:1. 


I have appointed thee a day fora 
year, a day for a year. 

Eze. 4:6 [margin.] 

1 day = 1 year. 

1 hour or 1-24 of a day = 15 days. 

1-2 hour = 7 1-2 days. 

Blessed are they that do his com- 
mandments, that they may have 
right to the tree of life, and may ecn- 
ter in through the gates into the 
city. Rev. 22:14. 

Rev. 14:1. 


And mount Sinai was altogether 
ona smoke, because the Lord de- 
scended upon it in fire: and the 
smoke thereof ascended as the smoke 
of a furnace, and the whole mount 
quaked greatly. Ex. 19:18. 


The law of thy mouth is better 
unto me than thousands of gold and 
silver. Psa. 119 372. 


And the Lord spake unto you out 
of the midst of the fire: ye heard 
the voice of the words, but saw no 
similitude ; only ye heard a voice. 

And he declared unto you his 
covenant, which he commanded you 
to perform, even ten command- 
ments; and he wrote them upon 
two tables of stone. 

Deut. 4:12, 13. 


STORY OF THE SEER OF PATMOS. 





united around Christ. Husbands and wives, 
parted in this life, who slept in Jesus, meet at 
the voice of Him who died for-them. Oh, what 
a meeting that will be! Friends will recognize 
friends. All will unite in thanksgiving and 
praise to Him who died and rose again, and has 
now come to give them everlasting rest and 
peace. The cruel monster death has no power 
over them. ‘And God shall wipe away all tears 
from their eyes; and there shall be no more 
death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall 
there be any more pain: for the former things 
are passed away.” This is heavenly reunion. 
Together, for seven successive days, they are 
traveling to their glorious home. They are a 
company of Sabbath-keepers, and the first Sab- 
bath in their redeemed. state will be spent on 
the way to the city of God. This is the com- 
pany that sing the response given in the twenty- 
fourth Psalm ; and it is the same company, who, 
as they gather about the throne with white 
robes and palms of victory, join in the chorus 
which John heard. 

The giving of the law on Mount Sinai may 
be considered as a symbol of Christ’s coming 
for the redeemed. Moses, an eyewitness of 
the giving of the law, says, “The Lord came 
from Sinai, and rose up from Seir unto them ; 
He shined forth from Mount Paran, and He came 
with ten thousands of saints: from His right 
hand went a-fiery law for them. Yea, He loved 
the people ; all His saints are in Thy hand: and 
they sat down at Thy feet; every one shall 
receive of Thy words.” Then it was that His 
law, the guide of life, was spoken in the hear- 
ing of all the people. Only those who have 


LHE TRUMPETS. 


known this same fiery law, the righteousness of 
Jehovah, and have had its seal implanted in 
their foreheads, will hear the law spoken, again, 
by Jehovah 

The prophet on Patmos was given a three- 
fold view of events which would take place 
between the time in which he lived, 
and the time when the redeemed 
gather about the throne. The mes- 
sages to the seven churches are eccle- 
siastical history, showing the spread 
of the religion of Jesus Christ, and 


145 
Rev. 7:9. 


Declaring the end from the be- 
ginning, and from ancient times the 
things that are not yet done, say- 
ing, My counsel shall stand, and I 
will do all my pleasure. 

Isa. 46:10, 





















































the errors which crept in. The seven 
seals reveal the inner workings of the 
church,—the individual experience— 
and foretell the signs of Christ’s com- 
ing. In the messages to the churches, & 
Christ was seen as the Light walking 
in their midst : in the seals, He is the 
Lamb who was slain that man might 
live. Another phase of history, not 
wholly national, but having to do 
with nations, is revealed in the sound- 
ing of the trumpets. The sounding of the seven 
trumpets extends to the close of the eleventh 
chapter, the seventh trumpet carrying history into 
eternity, like the seventh church and the seventh 
seal. The work of the trumpets is first introduced 
to John in the second verse of chapter eight. 
Seven angels stood before God, “and to them 
were given seven trumpets.” The trumpet, or 
bugle sound, is the call to war; and the history 
of the trumpets is one long story of war and 
bloodshed, but in order that men might learn 
that the hand of God is overruling in every 
army, and that He guides in every war, the 
stery of the trumpets is left on record. 





The giving of the law. 


‘Hear, ye that are far off, what I 
have done ; and, ye that are near, 
acknowledge my might. 

Isa. 33 213. 

In the midst of the seven candle- 
sticks one like unto the Son of man, 
The seven candlesticks which thou 
sawest are the seven churches, 

Rev. 1:13, 20. 

Rev. 5:6. 

Rev. 11: 15-19. 


And | saw the seven angels which 
stood before God; and to them 
were given seven trumpets. 

Rev. 8:2. 

And if ye go to war in your land 
against the enemy that oppresseth 
you, then ye shall blow an alarm 
with the trumpets. Num, 1039. 


10 


146 STORY 


He shall take a censer full of 
burning coals of fire from off the 
altar before the Lord, and his hands 
full of sweet incense beaten small, 
and bring it within the vail : 

And he shall put the incense upon 
the fire before the Lord, that the 
cloud of the incense may cover the 
“mercy seat that is upon the testi- 
mony, that he die not. 

Lev, 16:12, 13. 


OF THE SEER OF PATMOS. 





Lest men, in following the details of national = 
history, should, in the chronicle of all the distress 
of nations, lose sight of the work in heaven, a 
most precious phase of the Redeemer’s work, is 
revealed, before the work of the trumpeters is 
described. Instead of introducing Christ as a 
sacrifice, bleeding in the presence of the heavenly 
beings, He is here shown as our great High 
Priest, ministering in the pres- 
ence of the Father. John saw 
Him standing at the altar, 
having a golden censer. In 
the shadowy service of the 
earthly tabernacle, the altar 
of incense burned continually 
before the inner veil. The 
smoke ascended before the 
glory of the shekinah, which 
shone above the mercy seat. 
On the Day of Atonement, 
when the high priest entered 
into the Most Holy place, he 
carried with him a censer filled 
with precious odors, the fra- 


























grance of which was wafted 
































by the breezes far beyond the 


The glory of the shekinah shone above the mercy seat. tabernacle court. The priest 


And another angel came and 
stood at the altar, having a golden 
censer; and there was given unto 
him much incense, that he should 
offer it with the prayers of all 
saints upon the golden altar which 
was before the throne. 

And the smoke of the incense, 
which came with the prayers of 
the saints, ascended up before God 
out of the angel's hand. 

, Rev. 8:8, 4, 


entered the presence of Jehovah, bearing the 
sins of the people, and carrying with him their 
prayers. These prayers were acceptable with 
God because offered by faith in the righteous- 
ness of Christ. So in the heavenly court, God 
is enthroned and Christ stands before Him in 
behalf of His people. He pleads His own right- 
eousness which is acceptable with God. There 
is an inexhaustible fund of perfect obedience, 


THE TRUMPETS. 


which is the “much incense” which He offers. 
This ‘perfect obedience,’ or righteousness, 
meets every need, covers every case. As He 
was tempted in all points, yet yielded in none, so 
where sin abounds grace more than meets the 
need, 

The offering which the High Priest makes, is 
the prayers of all saints. From the time of the 
fall, heart yearnings have been felt in heaven. 
Every prayer has been recorded in the record 
books ; never has one soul-longing been passed 
by unheeded. Parents have prayed for the con- 
version of their children, and children have 
pleaded for their parents. The burden for souls 
in distant lands, has often rested heavily on some 
faithful follower of God ; and although the ones 
prayed for may never have been conscious of the 
fact, a connection was made between heaven and 
earth, and the needy ones were within the circuit. 
Heaven always responds to the call of a soul; it 
is pledged to do so, and will fulfill the promise. 
So the prayers which are ascending daily are as 
sure to be answered as the truth is sure that 
God’s throne is eternal. Angels are rearranging 
environments, changing circumstances, weaving 
about disinterested souls a network of influences 
which will some day lead to a surrender. God 
never forces Himself upon a single life, but there 
is one way to connect a man with heaven in spite 
of himself, and that way is through prayer. 

Will none who are prayed for reject light ?— 
Certainly they will; but when those upon whom 
the light has shone, do reject, they will be broken 
off like the dead branch of a tree, and some one 
else will be grafted in. Those who offered the 
prayers may be quiet in death, but the prayers 


147 


Rom. 5:20. 

1 Sam. 1:17. 

Thou tellest my wanderings: put 
thou my tears into thy bottle: are 
they notin thy book? Psa. 56:8. 

The prayer of the upright is his 
delight. Prov. 15 :8. 


Thy prayers and thine alms are 
come up for a memorial before God. 
Acts 10:4. 


The prayer of faith shall save the 
sick, and the Lord shall raise him 
up ; and if he have committed sins, 
they shall be forgiven him, 

Jas. 5:15. 

Jas. 5:17, 18. 

Then the priests the Levites arose 
and blessed the people: and their 
voice was heard, and their prayer 
came up to his holy dwelling place, 
even unto heaven. 

2 Chron. 30:27. 


The prince of the kingdom of 
Persia withstood me one and twenty 
days: but, lo, Michael, one of the 
chief princes, came to help me ; and 
I remained there with the kings of 
Persia. Dan, 10:13. 


Behold, I stand at the door, and 
knock: if any man hear my voice, 
and open the door, I will come in 
to him, and will sup with him, and 
he with me. Rev. 3 : 20. 

Matt. 8:34. 

Well; because of unbelief they 
were broken off, and thou standest 
by faith. Be not highminded, but 
fear. Rom, 11:20. 


It was necessary that the word of 
God should first have been spoken 
to you: but seeing ye put it from 
you, and judge yourselves unworthy 
of everlasting life, lo, we turn to 
the Gentiles. Acts 13 :46. 


Therefore also now, saith the 
Lord, turn ye even to me with all 
your heart, and with fasting, and 
with weeping, and with mourning: 

And rend your heart, and not 
your garments, and turn unto the 
Lord your God: for he is gracious 
and merciful, slow to anger, and of 
great kindness, and repenteth him 
of the evil. Joel 2: 12-14. 


148 


And the angel took the censer, 
and “illedit with fire of the altar, 
ana vast it into the earth: and 
there were voices, and thunder- 
ings, and lightnings, and an earth- 
quake, Rev, 8:6. 


And the seven angels which had 
the seven trumpets prepared 
themselvestosound. Rev.8; 6. 


Neither is there salvation in any 
other : for there is none other name 
under heaven given among men, 
whereby we must be saved. 

Acts 4:12. 

We are all as an unclean thing, 
and all our righteousnesses are as 
filthy rags ; and we all do fade as a 
leaf; and our iniquities, like the 
wind, have taken us away. 

Isa. 64:6. 

Whatsoever is not of faith is sin, 

Rom, 14:23. 

Now will I return to fight with 
the prince of Persia: and when I 
am gone forth, lo, the prince of 
Grecia shallcome. Dan. 10:20, 


The king spake, and said, Is not 
this great Babylon, that I have 
built for the house of the kingdom 
by the might of my power, and for 
the honour of my majesty ? 

While the word was in the king’s 
mouth, there fell a voice from 
heaven, saying, O king Nebuchad- 
nezzar, to thee it is spoken; The 
kingdom is departed from thee. 

Dan. 4:30, 31. 


To all that be in Rome, beloved 
of God, called to be saints: Grace 
to you and peace from God our Fa- 
ther, and the Lord Jesus Christ. 

First, I thank my God through 
Jesus Christ for you all, that your 
faith is spoken of throughout the 
whole world. Rom. 1:7, 8 


Jer. 17: 24-27. 
Jer. 38 : 17-20, 


STORY OF THE SEER OF PATMOS. 





are lodged on heaven’s altar, and will be answered 
before the censer is thrown down. 

Thus John sees Christ pleading for sinners, 
while the sealing work is going on in the earth, 
When the angel returns to heaven with the mes- 
sage that all are sealed, Christ casts the censer 
to the earth, and the thunderings, the lightnings, 
and the earthquake, proclaim that the end is at 
hand. Having seen Christ as man’s intercessor, 
John follows the work of the seven angels which 
had the seven trumpets. 

Belief in the imputed righteousness of Christ, 
is the only means of salvation for man. Self- 
righteousness was the cause of Satan’s fall, and 
it has ever been the studied plan of his satanic 
majesty to lead men from faith in the righteous- 
ness of Christ to a faith in their own works. 
When this is accomplished, destruction is inevi- 
table. To an individual this means the loss of 
eternal life; to a church, it means the withdraw- 
ing of the Spirit of God; to a nation, it means 
subjugation by some stronger nation. This les- 
son was taught by Nebuchadnezzar, the Baby- 
lonian monarch. When he walked in his palace, 
saying with lordly pride, “Is not this great Baby- 
lon, that I have built?” destruction waited at 
the door. The same truth has been taught in 
the downfall of every nation which has risen to 
prominence in past ages. God, in the voice of 
the first four trumpets, taught this lesson to the 
Roman Empire. 

Rome, the universal kingdom at the time of 
Christ’s first advent, was wonderfully blessed 
with a knowledge of the truth, but in proportion 
to the greatness of her privileges, so her fall was 
terrible. 


.. 


THE TRUMPETS. 


In the days of Constantine the empire was 
divided, Rome being the western capital, and 
Constantinople the eastern. At the death of 
Constantine, three divisions were made in order 
to seat each one of his three sons on a throne; 


this triple division is recognized throughout the 


trumpet history. Of these divisions, Italy, or 
the Western Roman Empire, was 
known as one third. While the three 
divisions are referred to, the first divi- 
sion into an eastern and western em- 
pire, is also preserved, until the capture 
of Constantinople by the Turks. 
“The first angel sounded, and 
there followed hail and fire mingled 
with blood, and they were cast upon 
the earth.” This is a most concise 
statement of a long series of terri- 
ble events; but brief as it is, the 
most forcible language is chosen ; hail 
and fire are mingled with blood and cast upon 
the earth. As early as the days of Constan- 
tine, hordes of barbarians pressed upon the 
frontiers of the Roman territory. Europe had, 
from prehistoric times, been subject to an 
influx of barbarians, and a spirit of emigration 
periodically swept like an undulating wave, over 
all the continent. When pressure came on the 
eastern frontier from the Scythians of northern 
Asia, the more western tribes were forced to seek 
broader fields in the populous southern countries. 
Largely because of this pressure, Constantine 
divided the empire, in order that there might be 
greater-strength to resist invasions. The time 
came when all the resources which Rome could 
muster, were insufficient to repel the invaders. 


149 


For the kingdom is the Lord’s: 
and he is the governor among the 
nations. Psa, 22:28, 


When the Most High divided to 
the nations their inheritance, when 
he separated the sons of Adam, he 
set the bounds of the people. 

Deut. 32:8. 





Ancient effigies of Constantine and his wife 


Fausta. 


The first angel sounded, and 
there followed hail and fire min- 
gled with blood, and they were 
cast upon the earth : and the third 
part of trees was burnt up, and 
all green grass was burnt up. 

Rev, 8:7. 


An ungodly man diggeth up evil: 
and in his lips there is as a burning 
fire. Prov, 16:27. 


The heathen raged, the kingdoms 
were moved. Psa. 46:6. 


150 STORY 


The lords of the heathen have 
broken down the principal plants 
thereof, they are come even unto 
Jazer, they wandered through the 
wilderness: her branches are 
stretched out, they are gone over 
the sea. Isa. 16:8. 


The adversary hath spread out his 
hand upon all her pleasant things: 
for she hath seen that the heathen 
entered into her sanctuary, whom 
thou didst command that they should 
not enter into thy congregation. 

Lam. 1:10, 


Except the Lord build the house, 
they labour in vain that build it: 
except the Lord keep the city, the 
watchman waketh but in vain. 

Psa. 12731. 


For their feet run to evil, and 
make haste to shed blood. 
Proy. 1: 16. 
Many seek the ruler’s favour ; but 
every man’s judgment cometh from 
the Lord. Prov. 29: 26. 


There is a generation, whose teeth 
are as swords, and their jaw teeth 
as knives, to devour the poor from 
off the earth, and the needy from 


among men. Prov. 30:14. 


If thou seest the oppression of 
the poor, and violent perverting of 
judgment and justice in a province, 
marvel not at the matter: for he 
that is higher than the highest re- 
gardeth ; and there be higher than 
they. Eccl. 5 38. 


But if a man live many years, and 
rejoice in them all; yet let him re- 
member the days of darkness ; for 
they shall be many. All that com- 
eth is vanity. Eccl. 11:8. 


The wrath of a king is as mes- 
sengers of death. Prov. 16:14. 


All thy strong holds shall be like 
fig trees with the firstripe figs: if 
they be shaken, they shall even fall 
into the mouth of the eater. 

Nahum 3 ; 12. 





OF THE SEER OF PATMOS,. 


In the year 395, the Goths, with their re- 
nowned leader, Alaric, invaded the Eastern 
Roman Empire. As they crossed the Danube, 
the dividing line between the territory of the 
Romans and the wilds of Germany, in the mid- 
dle of a winter of uncommon severity, they came 
like the hail from the north, and one of the 
Roman poets has said, “They rolled their pon- 
derous wagons over the broad and icy back of 
the indignant river.” Alaric was no mean 
leader ; but bold, artful, and more than a match 
for any general in the degenerate Roman army. 
For a number of years, the Goths remained in 
the eastern division of the empire; part of the 
time at peace, at other times, at variance with 
the emperor. In the year 408 Alaric descended 
upon Italy. He hastily passed the Alps and the 
Po, pillaged the cities of northern Italy, and ad- 
vanced a constantly increasing army to the city 
of Ravenna, where the pusillanimous emperor 
had his capital. Without meeting any resist- 
ance, he proceeded along the Adriatic until he 
came near Rome. Alaric took Ostia, the port 
of Rome at the mouth of the Tiber, and de- 
manded unconditional surrender of the city it- 
self. The senate yielded without reluctance, 
and Alaric placed the purple robe of the em- 
peror on Attalus, the prefect of the city. Rome, 
the proud monarchy, was in the hands of a bar- 
barian army, which could crown its emperor at 
will and insult its senate at pleasure. Later, 
Attalus, the tool of Alaric, was degraded in the 
presence of the people; his diadem was taken 
from him, and as if to offer insult to injury, the 
haughty barbarian sent the ensigns of royalty to 
Honorius, the real emperor, who was trembling 





THE TRUMPETS. 


behind the fortifications of Ravenna. Folly 
and imprudence provoked the Goths, and the 
city of Rome was awakened one night in the 
year 410 by the tremendous trumpet of the bar- 
barian soldiers. Rome was ravaged. The gold 
and the silver, the silver plate and’ costly furni- 
ture from Roman palaces, were loaded on the 
Gothic wagons. Fire and bloodshed filled the 
city with terror. For six days the city was in 
the hands of the invaders. At the end of that 
time, “at the head of an army, encumbered 
with rich and weighty spoils, their intrepid 
leader advanced along the Appian Way into the 
southern provinces of Italy, destroying whatever 
dared to oppose his passage, and contenting him- 
self with the plunder of the unresisting country.” 
On the death of Alaric, in 410, he was suc- 
ceeded by his brother-in-law, Adolphus, who 
allied himself with the Romans; he assumed 
the character of a Roman general, and later, 
married the sister of Honorius, the emperor. 
Thus, the conquest of the Goths over the weak- 
ened Roman Empire, was complete. 

“The second angel sounded, and as it were 
a great mountain burning with fire was cast into 
the sea: and the third part of the sea became 
blood.” The power here brought to view is dis- 
tinguished from the Goths by the fact that its 
force was felt upon the sea imstead of on the 
land. While Honorius, who had experienced the 
invasion of the Goths, was still nominally the 
emperor of Rome, the Vandals were making 
their presence feltin Spain. They were a horde 
of barbarians who had come from the northeast 
and for a time halted in the western provinces 
cf Rome. In 428 the terrible Genseric be- 


151 


The nations shall see and be con- 
founded at all their might: they 
shall lay their hand upon their 
mouth, their ears shall be deaf. 

Mic. 7:16, 


Woe to him that coveteth an evil 
covetousness to his house, that he 
may set his nest on high, that he 
may be delivered from the power of 
evil! 

Thou hast consulted shame to thy 
house by cutting off many people, 
and hast sinned against thy soul. 

Hab, 2:9, 10. 


Woe to him that buildeth a town 
with blood, and stablisheth a city 
by iniquity ! Hab, 2:12. 


And the second angel sounded, 
and as it were a great mountain 
burning with fire was cast into the 
sea: and the third part of the sea 
became blood. Rev, 8:8. 


There is a vanity which is done 
upon the earth; that there be just 
men, unto whom it happeneth ac- 
cording to the work of the wicked ; 
again, there be wicked men, to 
whom it happeneth according to the 
work of the righteous: I said that 
this alsois vanity. Eccl. 8:14. 

This is an evil among all things 
that are done under the sun, that 
there is one event unto all: yea, 
also the heart of the sons of men is 
full of evil, and madness is in their 
heart while they live, and after that 
they gotothedead. Eccl. gi3. 


152 


Woe to the bloody city ! itis all 
full of lies and robbery ; the prey 
departeth not ; 

The noise of a whip, and the 
noise of the rattling of the wheels, 
and of the pransing horses, and of 
the jumping chariots. 

The horseman lifteth up both the 
bright sword and the glittering 
spear: and there is a multitude of 
slain, and a great number of car- 
cases; and there is none end of 
their corpses; they stumble upon 
their corpses. Nahum 3: 1-3. 


Yea, they shall not be planted, 
yea, they shall not be sown: yea; 
their stock shall not take root in the 
earth : and he shallalso blow upon 
them, and they shall wither, and 
the whirlwind shall take them away 
as stubble. Isa. 40 324. 


Behold, the nations areas a drop 
of a bucket, and are counted as the 
small dust of the balance: behold, 
he taketh up the isles as a very lit- 
tle thing. 

And Lebanon is not sufficient to 
burn, nor the beasts thereof suffi- 
cient for a burnt offering. 

All nations before him are as 
nothing ; and they are counted to 
him less than nothing, and vanity. 

Isa. 40: 15-17. 


Thou art become guilty in thy 
blood that thou hast shed; and 
hast defiled thyself in thine idols 
which thou hast made; and thou 
hast caused thy days to draw near, 
and art come even unto thy years : 
therefore have I made thee a re- 
proach unto the heathen, and a 
mocking to all countries. 

Those that be near, and those 
that be far from thee, shall mock 
thee, which art infamous and much 
vexed, Eze. 22:4, 5. 


Yet was she carried away, she 
went into captivity: her young 
children also were dashed in pieces 
atthe top of all the streets: and 
they cast lots for her honourable 
men, and all her great men were 
bound in chains, Nahum 3;1o. 


STORY OF THE SEER OF PATMOS. 





became their leader, and at once the Vandals 
assumed the aggressive. Of Genseric it is said, 
‘“‘ His slow and cautious speech seldom declared 
the deep purposes of his soul; he disdained to 
imitate the luxury of the vanquished ; but he in- 
dulged the sterner passions of anger and revenge. 
The ambition of Genseric was without bounds 
and without scruples.” ‘The experience of 
navigation, and perhaps, the prospect of Africa” 
placed the Vandals on the sea. They were at 
first invited into Africa by Count Boniface, one 
of the Roman generals. The fatal step had been 
taken. The enemy once in Africa, Rome was 
confronted by a most formidable foe. It was m 
431 that the Vandals crossed the Straits of 
Gibraltar. A few years later, they were sole 
possessors of Carthage and northern Africa. 
Rome could ill afford to lose her African posses- 
sions; for they furnished both wealth and food 
to the cities of Italy. Nevertheless Genseric 
and the Vandals grew strong on the southern 
shore of the Mediterranean. Soon their borders 
were too narrow, and the success of their fleet 
added Sicily and other places to the barbarians. 
In June of the year 455, A. D., Genseric and his 
Vandals disembarked at the mouth of the Tiber, 
and Rome was again at the mercy of the bar- 
barians. The pillage lasted fourteen days and 
nights; and all that yet remained of public or 
private wealth, of sacred or profane treasure, was 
diligently transported to the vessels of Genserice 
The Empress Eudoxia, with her two daughters, 
was compelled as captive to follow the haughty 
Vandal. Thousands of Romans were likewise 
transported as slaves to the capital of the Vandal 
empire. ‘Their distress,” says Gibbon, “was 


FR it ane 
oe 


PE TRUMPEAS: 


aggravated by the unfeeling barbarians, who, in 
the division of the booty, separated the wives 
from their husbands, and the children from their 
parents.” The sack of Rome by the Goths had 
been a terrible calamity; but that by the 
Vandals, forty-five years later, was still worse. 
However, the devastation of the city itself was 
but a small part of the destructive work of these 
barbarians. The prophet was shown a great 
mountain, burning with fire, cast into the sea. 
It was like a 
mighty stone cast 
into the waters, 
causing wave af- 
ter wave to beat 
against the de- 
fenseless shores; 
or like an active ff 
volcano in the 
midst of the sea which periodically 
caused the waters to boil. This 
agrees with the description of the 
inroads of the Vandals. “In the 
spring of each year [between 461 
and 467] they equipped a formidable navy in the 
port of Carthage ; and Genseric himself, though in 
a very advanced age, still commanded in person 
the most important expeditions. . . . The 
Vandals repeatedly visited the coasts of Spain, 
Liguria, Tuscany, Campania, Lucania, Bruttium, 
Apulia, Calabria, Venetia, Dalmatia, Epirus, 
Greece, and Sicily. . . . Theirarms spread 
desolation and terror, from the cclumns of 
Hercules to the mouth of the Nile.” They took 
with them horses, so that their terror spread in- 
land from the port at which the fleet landed the 


153 


They shall take up a lamentation 
for thee, and say to thee How art 
thou destroyed, that wast inhabited 
of seafaring men the renowned 
city, which wast strong in the sea, 
she and her inhabitants, which 
cause their terror to be on all that 
haunt it! Eze. 26:17, 18. 


Thou shalt ascend and come like 
a storm, thou shalt be like a cloud 
to cover the land, thou, and all thy 
bands, and many people with thee. 





The ruins of Carthage. 


Thus saith the Lord God ; Itshall 
also come to pass, that at the same 
time shall things come into thy 
mind, and thou shalt think an evil 
thought : 

And thou shalt say, I will go up 
to the land of unwalled villages ; I 
will go to them that are at rest, that 
dwell safely, all of them dwelling 
without walls, and having neither 
bars nor gates, 

To take a spoil, and to take a 
prey ; to turn thine- hand upon the 
desolate places that are now inhab- 
ited, and upon the people that are 
gathered out of the nations, which 
have gotten cattle and goods; that 
dwell in the midst of the land. 

Eze. 38 : g-12. 


154 


Shall not all these take up a para- 
ble against him, and a taunting 
proverb against him, and say, Woe 
to him that increaseth that which is 
not his! how long? and to him 
that ladeth himself with thick clay ! 

Shall they not rise up suddenly 
that shall bite thee, and awake that 
shall vex thee, and thou shalt be 
for booties unto them? 

Hab. 2 :6, 7. 


That they may do evil with both 
hands earnestly, the prince asketh, 
and the judge asketh fora reward ; 
and the great man, he uttereth his 
mischievous desire: so they wrap 
it up. 

The best of them is as a brier: 
the most upright is sharper thana 
thorn hedge : the day of thy watch- 
men and thy visitation cometh; 
now shall be their perplexity, 

Micah 7:3, 4. 


And the third part of 
the creatures which 
were in the sea, and 
had life, died; and 
the third part of the 
ships were destroyed. 

Rev. 8:9. 


Notwithstanding the land shall 
be desolate because of them that 
dwell therein, for the fruit of their 
doings. Micah 7 : 13. 


They shall come all for violence : 
their faces shall sup up as the east 
wind, and they shall gather the cap- 
tivity as the sand. 

And they shall scoff at the kings, 
and the princes shall be a scorn 
unto them: they shall deride every 
strong hold; for they shall heap 
dust, and take it, Hab. 1:9, 10, 


STORY OF THE SEER OF PATMOS. 





savage warriors. So hidden were the designs of 
Genseric that the Roman world never knew 
where to look for the next attack.. As wealth 
and an abundance of plunder were the objects of 
their greed, the Vandals usually avoided fortified 
cities. 

Rome was at last aroused to take active 
measures against her constant and most persist- 
ent enemy. She spent months in preparation 
of a fleet. The forces of the East and the West 
united in invading Africa. The Roman army 
stood under the VES of oe ' Genseric 
asked and By a3 
obtained a 
five days’ 









The fire spread from vessel to vessel. 


truce. The wind became favorable to the war- 
rior of the Mediterranean. His vessels were 
manned with the bravest of the Vandals and 
Moors, who in the darkness of the night, towed a 
large number of ships loaded with combustibles, 
into the very midst of the Roman fleet. The 
fire spread from vessel to vessel. ‘ The noise of 
the wind, the crackling of the flames, the dis- 
sonant cries of the soldiers and mariners, who 
could neither command nor obey, increased the 


Danube. 


THE TRUMPETS. 


horror of the nocturnal tumult.” Many who 
might have escaped the flames, met death at the 
hands of the Vandal warriors. Historians state 


- that eleven hundred Roman vessels were de- 


stroyed. The burning mountain had fallen 
upon the sea. f 

Genseric was again recognized as the tyrant of 
the sea. He lived to see the final extinction of 
the Roman Empire of the West in 476. His 
was the work which was permitted to be done at 
the sounding of the second trumpet, in that na- 
tion where apostasy replaced the true worship of 
God, and where the mystery of iniquity was fast 
coming into power. 

But the end was not yet. “The third angel 
sounded, and there fell a great star from heaven, 
burning as it were a lamp.” For nearly one 
hundred years previous to the final downfall of 
Rome, the Huns, one of the wildest of the 
Scythian tribes, had pressed upon the empire, 
spreading themselves from the Volga to the 
For a time they commanded the 
alternative of peace or war, with both the eastern 
and western divisions of the empire. In the 
days of /Etius, a general of the West, sixty 
thousand Huns marched to the confines of Italy ; 
but retreated when paid the sum which they 
cared to demand. Theodosius, the emperor of 
the East, bought peace by paying an annual 
tribute of three hundred and fifty pounds of gold, 
and bestowing the title of general upon the king 
of the Huns. There was still a senate at Rome, 
and it purchased peace of the Huns. This wasa 
part of the “wormwood” which Rome was caused 
to drink. In 433 Attila and his brother became 
joint rulers of the barbarians, and in a treaty 


155 


They make the king glad with 
their wickedness, and the princes 
with their lies. Hosea 7:3. 


I have written to him the great 
things of my law, but they were 
counted as a strange thing. 

Hosea 8: 12. 


And the third angel sounded, and 
there fella great star from heaven, 
burning as it were a lamp, and it 
fell upon the third part of the 
rivers, and upon the fountains of 
waters, Rev. 8:10. 


For thus saith the Lord God ; 
Because thou hast clapped thine 
hands, and stamped with the feet, 
and rejoiced in heart with all thy 
despite against the land of Israel; 

Behold, therefore I will stretch 
out mine hand upon thee, and will 
deliver thee for a spoil to the 
heathen; and I will cut thee off 
from the people, and I will cause 
thee to perish out of the countries: 
I will destroy thee ; and thou shalt 
know that iam the Lord. 

Eze. 25 :6, 7. 


Yea also, because he transgresseth 
by wine, he is a proud man, neither 
keepeth at home, who enlargeth his 
desire as hell, and is as death, and 
cannot be satisfied, but gathereth 
unto him all nations, and heapeth 
unto him all people. Hab. 2:5. 


Strangers have devoured his 
strength, and he knoweth it not: 
yea, gray hairs are here and there 
upon him, yet he knoweth not. 

Hosea 7 :9. 


And the name of the star is 
called Wormwood : and the third 
part of the waters became worm- 
wood ; and many men died of the 
waters, because they were made 
bitter Rev. 8; 11, 


156 


The house of the wicked shall be 
overthrown. Prov. 14:11 


He shall lean upon his house, but 
it shall not stand: he shall hold it 
fast, but it shall not endure. 

Job. 8:15. 


The lot is cast into the lap; but 
the whole disposing thereof is of 
the Lord. Prov. 16:33. 





They were haughty, and 
committed abomination be- 
fore me : therefore I took 
them away as I saw good. 

Eze. 16:50. 


I will pour out mine in- 
dignation upon thee, I will ~ 
blow against thee in the fire 
of my wrath, and deliver 
thee into the hand of brut- 
ish men, and skilful to de- 
stroy. 


Thou shalt be for fuel to the fire ; 
thy blood shall be in the midst of 
the land ; thou shalt be no more re- 
membered: for I the Lord have 


spoken it. Eze. 21:31, 32. 


Ye have ploughed wickedness, ye 
have reaped iniquity ; ye haveeaten 
the fruit of lies: because thou didst 
trust in thy way, in the multitude of 
thy mighty men. 

Therefore shall a tumult arise 
among thy people, and all thy for- 
tresses shall be spoiled, as Shalman 
spoiled Beth-arbel in the day of 
battle: the mother was dashed in 
pieces upon her children. 

Hosea 10:13, 14. 


STORY OF THE SEER OF PATMOS,. 





with the emperor, the Huns “dictated the con- 
ditions of peace; each condition was an insult 
on the majesty of the empire. Besides the free- 
dom of a safe and plentiful market on the banks 
of the Danube, they required that the annual 
contribution should be augmented from three 
hundred and fifty pounds of gold to seven hun- 
dred pounds of gold; that a fine, or ransom, of 
eight pieces of gold should be paid for every 
Roman captive who had escaped from his barba- 
SIR ee : 














Ruins of the Forum. 
rian master ; that the emperor should renounce 
all treaties and engagements with the enemies of 
the Huns; and that all the fugitives who had 
taken refuge in the court, or provinces of Theo- 
dosius, should be delivered to the justice of their 


offended sovereign.” Thus was the Roman 
Empire made to realize that its power was gone, 
and that the proud Romans were subject to the 
most cruel of all barbarians. This was “worm- 
wood” indeed. 

After concluding such a treaty with the 
emperor of the East, Attila gathered his hordes 
and marched into Gaul. Here he was defeated 


THE TRUMPETS. 


by the Visigoths, and the Huns retreated to 
northern Italy. One barbarian horde might 
repel another, but there was little danger of de- 
feat when once within the confines of Italy. 
Attila crossed the Alps, “the fountain of waters.” 
Aquileia, the richest and most populous city of 
the Adriatic, fell, and the succeeding generation 
could scarcely discover the ruins, so complete 
was the overthrow. Many cities were reduced 
to heaps of stones and ashes. Milan, the city of 
the royal palace, submitted. Rome was the 
next point of attack, but the city escaped the 
hand of Attila, its salvation being purchased by 
the gift of the princess Honoria, with an im- 
mense dowry. The bitterness of the portion 
which Rome drank is well described as worm- 
wood. The “star” which fell upon the foun- 
tains of waters, retreated to his home in 
Hungary, where his light was extinguished. 

Attila, king of the Huns, died in 453. His 
light went out like the snuffing of acandle. He 
was a lamp burning on the earth. But Rome 
was not delivered from her enemies. The Van- 
dal king, Genseric, was in the height of his 
power, and continued to ravage the southern 
coasts until the final overthrow, about twelve 
years later. 

Roman power was lost, although in name the 
Western Empire still existed. A Roman, 
Attalus, was seated on the throne by Alaric, the 
Goth, and recognized as sovereign by the right- 
ful heir to the throne. The Vandals tormented 
the government until life was a burden. In 
order to complete the overthrow, nothing re- 
mained to be done, except to seat a barbarian on 
the throne in the place of the royal family. 


157 


There shall the fire devour thee ; 
the sword shall cut thee off, it shall 
eat thee up like the cankerworm: 
make thyself many as the canker- 
worm, make thyself many as the 
locusts. 

Nahum 3 : 15. 


Because thou hast spoiled many 
nations, all the remnant of the peo- 
ple shall spoil thee; because of 
men’s blood, and for the violence of 
the land, of the city, and of all that 
dwell therein. Hab. 2:8. 


In the time when thou shalt be 
broken by the seas in the depths of 
the waters thy merchandise and all 
thy company in the midst of thee 
shall fall. Eze. 27:34. 


Yea, I will make many people 
amazed at thee, and their kings 
shall be horribly afraid for thee, 
when I shall brandish my sword be- 
fore them ; and they shall tremble 
at every moment, every man for his 
own life, in the day of thy fall. 

Eze. 32:10. 


And the fourth angel sounded, 
and the third part of the sun was 
smitten, and the third part of the 
moon, and the third part of the 
stars; so as the third part of 
them was darkened, and the day 
shone not for a third part of it, 
and the night likewise. 

Rev. 8:12, 





Attila. 
I have set the point of the sword 
against all their gates, that their 
heart may faint, and their ruins be 
multiplied: ah! it is made bright, 
it is wrapped up for the slaughter. 
Eze. 21215. 
In thee have we taken gifts to 
shed blood ; thou hast taken usury 
and increase, and thou hast greedily 
gained of thy neighbors by extor- 
tion, and hast forgotten me, saith 
the Lord God. 
Ye which rejoice in a thing of 
nought, which say, Have we not 
taken to us horns: by our own 
strength? Amos 6:13. 


For the rich men thereof are full 
of violence, and the inhabitants 
thereof have spoken lies, and their 
tongue is deceitful in their mouth. 

Micah 6 : 12. 

Behold, therefore I will stretch 
out mine hand upon thee, and will 
deliver thee for a spoil to the 
heathen ; and I will cut thee off 
from the people, and I will cause 
thee to perish out of the centuries : 
I will destroy thee : and thou shalt 
know that I am the Lord. 

ze. 25:7. 


Eze. 22:12. 


4 Hun. 
md service of the Roman princes. 





“The fourth angel sounded, and the third 
part of the sun was smitten, and the third part 
of the moon, and the third part of the stars.” 
The prophetic history given under the fourth 
trumpet, represents the dense darkness that 
would exist if the sun, moon, and stars all refused 
to emit light. Its fulfillment was the extinction © 
of the light of Western Rome. 

During the last twenty years of the existence 


1 of the Western Empire, nine emperors had suc- 
e cessively disappeared. The third from the last 
; was murdered, and his successor, Nepos, was 
i expelled. Orestes was a Pannonian by birth, 


and for years a faithful follower of Attila, the 
On the death of Attila he entered the 
Step by step he 
advanced in the army until he was granted the 
title of patrician by Nepos, and made master- 
general of the troops. On the expulsion of 
Nepos, Orestes was offered the purple, but re- 
fused it; consenting, however, that his son, 
Augustulus, should become emperor of the West. 
Augustulus was a mere tool in the hands of the 
numerous barbarians who were now in Italy and 
upon her borders. The confederate tribes de- 
manded one-third of the land of Italy, and when 
the request was refused, they united their forces 
under the leadership of Odoacer, the son of a 
barbarian, who had himself followed the great 
leader of the Huns, and then accepted a position 
in the Roman army. He was noted among the 
barbarians for his courage and ability. By the 
confederate tribes, he was saluted as the king of 
Italy. Augustulus offered his resignation, which 
was accepted by the Senate. This was its last 
act of obedience to its prince. Zeno, ruler of the 





THE TRUMPETS. 


East, was recognized as sole emperor, and he 
awarded to Odoacer the title of “ Patrician of the 
Diocese of Italy.” 

*Odoacer was the first barbarian who reigned 
in Italy over a people who had once asserted 
their just superiority above the rest of mankind.” 
He reigned fourteen years, from 476 to 490, A. D., 
but the Roman Empire of the West was a thing 
of the past. The territory once held by the rul- 
ing kingdom of the world, was divided among 
the barbarians who had assisted in its overthrow. 

Rome was now broken into fragments, and the 
ten divisions presented to the prophet Daniel 
were each given power.. As iron and miry clay 
refuse to unite, so the fragments of the Western 
Roman Empire will remain separate until the 
end of time. With the year 476, which marks 
the fall of Rome, begins the history of the 
Middle Ages. Within the next few years every 
obstacle was cleared away, and the papacy hada 
clear road to the throne. Odoacer was by faith 
an Arian, and his kingdom, that of the Heruli, 
was the first of the horns, according to Daniel 
7:8, to be plucked up by the little horn, which 
exalted itself, and spoke great words against the 
Most High. 

In the distress caused by the numerous inva- 
sions of the barbarians, the bishop of the Roman 
diocese had acted well his part. | When nations 
fell, and emperors ceased to grant protection, 
men sought safety in the shadow of the church. 
Daily the power of the bishop increased, and 
from the decaying ruins of ancient Rome, the 
papacy arose. The church had the name of 
life, but it was dead. To the one who followed 
the Saviour, He appeared as the High Priest in 


159 


As they gather silver, and brass, 
and iron, and lead, and tin, into the 
midst of the furnace, to blow the 
fire upon it, to melt it; so will I 
gather you in mine anger and in my 
fury, and I will leave you there, and 
melt you. 

Yea, I will gather you, and blow 
upon you in the fire of my wrath, 
and ye shall be melted in the m dst 
thereof. 

As silver is melted in the midst 
of the furnace, so shall ye be melted 
in the midst thereof ; and ye shall 
know that I the Lord have poured 
out my fury upon you. 

Eze. 22 : 20-22. 

Whereas thou sawest the feet and 
toes, part of potters’ clay, and part 
of iron, the kingdom shall be di- 
vided ; but there shall be im it of 
the strength of the iron, forasmuch 
as thou sawest the iron mixed with 
miry clay. 

And as the toes of the feet were 
part of iron, and part of clay, so the 
kingdom shall be partly strong, and 
partly broken. 

And whereas thou sawest iron 
mixed with miry clay, they shall 
mingle themselves with the seed of 
men ; but they shall not cleave one 
to another, even as iron is not mixed 
with clay. 

Remember ye not, that, when I 
was yet with you, I told you these 
things? 

And now ye know what withhold- 
eth that he might be revealed in his 
time. 

For the mystery of iniquity doth 
already work: only he who now 
letteth will let, until he be taken 
out of the way. 2 Thess. 2: 5-7. 


I considered the horns, and, be- 
hold, there came up among them 
another little horn, before whom 
there were three of the first horns 
plucked up by the roots: and, be- 
hold, in this horn were eyes like the 
eyes of man, and a mouth speaking 
great things. Dan. 7:8. 


Dan. 2 : 41-43. 


Rev. 13:2. 


Whosoever will, let him take the 
water of life freely. Rev. 22:17. 


160 STORY 


I will shake all nations. 
Hag. 2:7. 


There shall be a time of trouble, 
such as never was since there was a 
nation even to that same time: and 
at that time thy people shall be de- 
livered, every one that shall be 
found written in the book. 

Dan. 12:1. 


And he shall speak great words 
against the most High, and shall 
wear out the saints of the most High, 
acd think to change times and laws : 
and they shall be given into his 
hand until a time and times and the 
dividing of time. Dan, 7:25. 


And | beheld, and heard an angel 
fiying through the midst of heaven, 
saying with a loud voice, Woe, 
woe, woe, to the inhabiters of the 
earth by reason of the other 
voices of the trumpet of the three 
angels, which are yet to sound | 

Rev. 8:13. 


His lips are full of indignation, 
and his tongue as a devouring fire : 
And his breath, as an overflowing 
stream, shall reach to the midst of 
the neck, to sift the nations with 
the sieve of vanity. 
Isa. 30:27, 28. 


1 Tim. 4:1-3. 
2 Tim. 3:1-8. 





OF THE SEER OF PATMOS. 


the heavenly court, offering His own right- 
eousness to all of every nationality who would 
accept. 

The fall of Rome was a mighty shaking up of 
nations, divinely symbolized by the trumpets 
blown by angels who stand in the presence of 
God. Its fall is a’type of the time of trouble, 
preceding the final destruction of the world. 
God loved His. people then, and through the 
darkness, His hand was leading. So it will 
be at the sounding of the seventh trumpet. The 
history of the fourth trumpet evidently covers 
the events of a number of years; for the next 
time the Roman Empire is brought to view, it is 
presented as the persecuting power which bore 
sway a thousand two hundred and three score 
years. é 
When the fourth angel had sounded, John be- 
held another “angel flying through the midst of 
heaven, saying with a loud voice, Woe, woe, 
woe, to the inhabiters of the earth by reason of 
the other voices of the trumpet of the three 
angels, which are yet to sound!” 

Barbarian warfare is terrible; the crushing of 
a nation calls out the armory of heaven, and 
angels veil their faces from the scenes of cruelty 
and bloodshed. But the false doctrines which 
crush the sons of God, and the errors which hide 
the righteousness of Christ, are especially desig- 
nated as woes. To these woes the student of 
prophecy is next introduced. 





Crear TE Rs Xs 


THE BEGINNING OF WOES. 


The struggle between truth and error has 
always been a bitter one. No great light has 
ever shone upon the earth for which the arch- 
enemy has not had a counterfeit, contain- 
ing enough of the truth to make it palatable 
to those whose taste for spiritual food is not the 
keenest ; and yet, with all this, God has used 
these very deceptions, to reveal the greatness 
of His love. The student of prophecy should 
‘bear in mind that before John was allowed to 
hear the trumpets, Christ was presented as full 
of righteousness. 

God plans from eternity; and while Satan 
worked hard for the utter destruction of all 
things, yet the guiding hand of Jehovah still 
controlled affairs; and preceding the setting up 
of the papacy, the eye of the Infinite One saw 
those who would give the last message to the 
world and see the triumph of truth. Thus 


TI 


And there was war in heaven : Mi- 
chael and his angels fought against 
the dragon ; and the dragon fought 
and his angels. Rev. 12 37. 


Heb. 12:4. 
Luke 2 :32. 
Matt. 24:24. 
2Cor. 11 314, 15. 
2 Thess. 2 : 10-12. 
Prov. 4:18, 19. 
Rev. 8:3. 
Matt. 22:11, 12. 
Rom. 4:5-7. 
Matt. 6 22, 23. 
Mark 4:4, 14. 
Psa. 193 4. 
Rom. 10:18, 
Rom. 1:19, 20. 
Acts 13:47. 


He said, It is a light thing that 
thou shouldest be my servant to 
raise up the tribes of Jacob, and to 
restore the preserved of Israel: I 
will also give thee for a light to the 
Gentiles, that thou mayest be my 
salvation unto the end of the earth. 

Isa. 49:6. 


+ 


TOI 


162 STORY 


Because thy rage against me and 
thy tumult is come up into mine 
ears, therefore will I put my hook 
in thy nose, and my bridle in thy 
lips, and I will turn thee back by 
the way by which thou camest. 

2 Kings 19:28, 

Isa. 37 : 29. 

I say unto you, That many shall 
come from the east and west, and 
shall sit down with Abraham, and 
Isaac, and Jacob, in the kingdom 
of heaven, Matt. 8:11. 


Jesus knew from the beginning 
who they were that believed not, 
and who should betray him. 

John 6:64. 


Isa. 37 326-29. 


While they promise them liberty, 
they themselves are the servants of 
corruption : for of whom a man is 
overcome, of the same is he brought 
in bondage. 2 Pet. 2:19. 


I will deliver them to be removed 
into all the kingdoms of the earth 
for their hurt, to be a reproach and 
a proverb, a taunt and a curse, in 
all places whither I shall drive 
them, Jer. 24 9, 10. 


And the fifth angel sounded, and 
/ saw a star fall from heaven unto 
the earth: and to him was given 
the key of the bottomless pit. 
Rev. 9:1, 


Eze. 26: 20. 

Eze. 39 : 2-4. 

The Gentiles shall see thy right- 
eousness, and all kings thy glory: 
and thou shalt be called by a new 
name, which the mouth of the Lord 
shall name. Isa. 62:1, 2. 


The princes are rebellious, and 
companions of thieves: every one 
loveth gifts, and followeth after re- 
wards: they judge not the father- 
less, neither doth the cause of the 
widow come unto them. 

Isa, 1323. 





OF THE SEER OF PATMOS. 


when the “mystery of iniquity” thought to 
reign supreme, it found that the seed of truth, 
which would inevitably cause its overthrow, 
had already been planted by God, in the 
Western Empire. Events which took place © 
in the eastern third of the world, and which 
finally centered about Constantinople, the capi- 
tal of the Eastern Empire, show, with equal 
clearness, the wonderful foresight and wisdom 
of the Saviour. Satan may be rich in resources, 
but the God of heaven knows a thousand 
ways to thwart his every scheme. The history 
of the fifth trumpet is another exemplification 
of this fact. 
The barbarian hordes had spent their strength 
in the overthrow of the Western Empire, and 
had, in the course of a few years, laid aside 
their savage ways, and. assumed the manners 
of the conquered people with whom they lived. 
But the Eastern Empire was as full of weak- 
ness and pollution as the Western, and its 
downfall was just as certain, although it came 
in an entirely different way. “The fifth angel 
sounded, and I saw a star fall from heaven 
unto the earth: and to him was given the key 
of the bottomless pit.” The north of Asia had 
sent forth its hordes of barbarians, who passed 
like waves of the sea over the entire continent 
of Europe, even to the British Isles. From 
the central portion of western Asia, the Gospel 
was spread as the life and light of all mankind. 
Near the close of the sixth century there 
was born in Mecca, of the princes of Arabia, 
a man who claimed direct descent from Ishmael, 
the son of Abraham. This man was Moham- 
med, the son of Abdallah, and the founder of a 


hates, 


THE BEGINNING OF WOES. 


faith, which, to-day has many thousand adher- 
ents. “Arabia,” says Gibbon, “was free; the 
adjacent kingdoms were shaken by the storms 
of conquest and tyranny, and persecuted sects 
fled to the happy land where they might pro- 
fess what they believed, and practice what they 
professed.” In Arabia were gathered, at this 
time, Christians, Jews, Persian fire-worshipers, 
and representatives of all sects and _ beliefs. 
Mohammed was acquainted with them 
all as he mingled in the thoroughfares 
of Mecca, and in his journeys to Da- 
mascus, and seaports of Syria. 
Mohammed was of a serious mind, 
and it was his custom to retire one 
month each year to a cave, a few miles 
from Mecca, where he gave himself to - 
fasting and prayer. On his return from 
one of these seasons of seclusion he g 
announced his belief in one God, and ; 
that Mohammed was the prophet of God. 
This was the beginning of Islamism. 
The prophet first taught in his own 
family, and gradually gained a number 
of converts. His flight, from Mecca, 
called the Hegira, [a. D.622] is the era of 
his glory, and the date from which the Moham- 
medans compute their time. In opposition to 
the forms and ceremonies of the numerous 
worshipers who congregated at Mecca, and to 
the professed Christians who revered the images 
of saints and martyrs, the simple principles of 
the new religious leader called for prayer, 
fasting, and alms. Five times a day, his fol- 
lowers all over the world turn their eyes 
toward Mecca, and lift their hearts in prayer. 


163 


But were mingled among the 
heathen, and learned their works. 
Psa. 106 : 35-42. 


Therefore speak unto them. and 
say unto them, Thus saith the Lord 
God ; Every man of the house of 
Israel that setteth up his idols in 
his heart, and putteth the stumbling- 
block of his iniquity before his face, 
and cometh to the prophet; I the 
Lord will answer him that cometh 
according to the multitude of his 
idols; 





Flight from Mecca. 


That I may take the house of Is- 
rael in their own heart, because 
they are all estranged from me 
through their idols. 


And if the prophet be deceived 
when he hath spoken a thing, I the 
Lord have deceived that prophet, 
and I will stretch out my hand upon 
him, and will destroy him from the 
midst of my people Israel. 


And they shall bear the punish- 
ment of their iniquity: the punish- 
ment of the prophet shall be even 
as the punishment of him that seek- 


eth unto him. Eze. 14 34-10, 


164 STORY 


The way of peace they know not; 
and there is no judgment in their 
goings: they have made them 
crooked paths: whosoever goeth 
therein shall not know peace. 

Isa. 59: 3-8. 


Wherefore have we fasted, say 
they, and thou seest not? where- 
fore have we afflicted our soul, and 
thou takest no knowledge? Be- 
hold, in the day of your fast ye find 
pleasure, and exact all your labours. 


Mohammed. 


Behold, ye fast for strife and de- 
bate, and to smite with the fist of 
wickedness: ye shall not fast as ye 
do this day, to make your voice to 
be heard onhigh, _—_Isa. 583-7. 


There came forth a spirit, and 
stood before the Lord, and said, I 
will persuade him, 

And the Lord said unto him, 
Wherewith? And ‘he said, I will 
go forth, and I will be a lying spirit 
in the mouth of all his prophets, 
And he said, Thou shalt persuade 
him, and prevail also: goforth, and 
do so. 1 Kings 22:21, 22. 





OF THE SEER OF PATMOS. 





Paradise, where the pleasures of this life are 
enjoyed in an exaggerated form throughout 
eternity, is the reward held out to the faithful. 
Wherever the followers of Mohammed met the 
foreigner, there was a single rule of action. 
“Confess,” said the Mussulman, “that there is 
but one God, and that Mohammed is His prophet ; 
pay tribute, or choose death.” The atoning 
blood of Christ was spurned. Jesus was a 
prophet, they thought; but He, like 
Moses, was inferior to Mohammed. The 
Bible of the Christians was replaced by 
the Koran. True, the simple faith and 
austere practices of the Mohammedans 
were, to all outward appearances, a re- 
form over the apostasy of the Greek 
Catholics ; but in the rejection of Christ, 
the Mohammedan had nothing in which 
to place his faith, save in his own ability 
to obtain righteousness by works. So. 
while the papacy was exalting man in 
the West, and perfecting its system of 
self-righteousness, the new religion of 
the East was propagating, under another name, 
the same device of the devil to destroy the 
souls of men. 

The Arabs, or the Saracens, had never exer- 
cised any influence in the earth. In the history 
of nations, these free men of the desert had 
passed with scarcely a notice. Mohammedanism 
united the scattered tribes, and sent them forth 
as the conquerors of nations. The rapid prog- 
ress which attended the Saracen arms was due, 
in great measure, to the strife between the 
Romans and Chosroes, the head of the modern 
Persian Empire. This strife resulted in the fall 


i 


AU! 


THE BEGINNING OF WOES. 


of the latter. Modern Persia had stood as a 
barrier wall, keeping in check the power of 
Mohammed; but when that power fell, 
the barrier was gone, the “bottomless pit” 
opened, and the Saracens deluged the world. 
When the “bottomless pit” was opened, there 
arose a smoke which hid the face of the sun. 
The figure is a strong one, representing the 
darkening effect of Mohammedanism, as_ it 
spread over the face of the earth. 

This same characteristic is emphasized in 
the symbols used throughout the history. 
“There came out of the smoke locusts upon 
the earth.” The Saracens themselves are 
called locusts by the prophet John, and the 
doctrine which impelled their actions was as 
a dense smoke, issuing out of a furnace. The 
work of these locust-like warriors is described 
in the eighth plague, sent upon the land of 
Egypt in the days when Pharaoh refused to let 
Israel go. “I will bring the locusts into thy 
coast: and they shall cover the face of the earth, 
that one cannot be able to see the earth: and 
they shall eat the residue of that which is 
escaped, and shall eat every tree 
which groweth for you out of the field: and they 
shall fill thy houses, and the houses of all thy 
servants, and the houses of all the Egyptians.” 

The wisdom of Solomon led him to say, 
“The locusts have no king, yet go they forth 
all of them by bands.” In using this one figure 
the divine historian tells the whole story of the 
Saracen conquest. There was no king, there was 
no organized government; but there was one 
common faith which bound the hordes of Arabia 
to their caliph. When Mohammed first advo- 


165 


And he opened the bottomless 
pit; and there arose a smoke out 
of the pit, as the smoke of a great 
furnace ; and the sun and the air 
were darkened by reason of the 
smoke of the pit. Rev. 9:2, 


And there came out of the smoke 
locusts upon the earth: and unto 
them was given power, as the 
scorpions of the earth have power. 

Rev. 9:3. 





““The locusts have no king, yet 
go they forth all of them 
by bands.”’ 


And the locusts went up over all 
the land of Egypt, and rested in all 
the coasts of Egypt: very grievous 
were they; before them there were 
no such locusts as they, neither 
after them shall be such. 

For they covered the face of the 
whole earth, so that the land was 
darkened ; and they did eat every 
herb of the land, and all the fruit of 
the trees which the hail had left: 
and there remained not any green 
thing in the trees, or in the herbs 
of the field, through all the land of 
Egypt. Ex, i0:12-15. 

He gave also their increase unto 
the caterpillar, and their labour 
unto the locust. Psa. 78: 46, 


He spake, and the locusts came, 
and caterpillars, and that without 
number. Psa. 105 334. 

Prov. 30:27. 

In those days there was no king 
in Israel, but every man did that 
which was right in his own eyes. 

Judges 17:6. 


166 STORY 


Thus saith the Lord concerning 
the prophets that make my people 
err, that bite with their teeth, and 
cry, Peace ; and he that putteth not 
into their mouths, they even pre- 
pare war against him, 

Therefore night shall be unto you, 
that ye shall not have a vision ; and 
it shall be dark unto you, that ye 
shall not divine ; and the sun shall 
go down over the prophets, and the 
day shall be dark over them. 

Then shall the seers be ashamed, 
and the diviners confounded: yea, 
they shall all cover their lips ; for 
there is no answer of God. 

Micah 3: 4-7. 


That I have set before you life 
and death, Deut. 30: 19. 


“ 


And it was commanded them 
that they should not hurt the grass 
of the earth, neither any green 
thing, neither any tree; but only 
those men which have not the scal 
of God in their foreheads. 

Reu. 9:4, 


No weapon that is formed against 
thee shall prosper; and every 
tongue that shall rise against thee 
in judgment thou shalt condemn, 
This is the heritage of the servants 
of the Lord, and their righteousness 
is of me, saith the Lord. 

Isa. 54217. 


OF THE SEER OF PATMOS. 





cated his doctrine, he gained adherents by the 
power of argument; but this process soon be- 
came too slow for his ambition, and arms were 
taken to defend and extend the territory of the 
new religion. Inthe course of a few years, Persia, 
Syria, Egypt, Africa and Spain had been con- 
quered by Saracen arms. It was in 632 that 
Caled, the lieutenant of the first caliph, began 
the conquest of Persia. His efforts were 
crowned with victory. To every man was 
offered death, or the acceptance of the Moham- 
medan doctrine. With the sword above their 
heads, multitudes thanked God for Mohammed, 
His prophet. 

When the tribes of Arabia were gathered for 
the conquest of Syria, the caliph Abubeker 
instructed the chiefs of the army as follows: 
“When you fight the battles of the Lord, 
acquit yourselves like men, without turning 
your backs; but let not your victory be stained 
with the blood of women or children. Destroy 
no palm trees, nor burn any fields of corn. Cut 
down no fruit trees, nor do any mischief to 
cattle, only such as you kill to eat. . . . 
As you go on, you will find some religious per- 
sons who live retired in monasteries, and pro- 
pose to themselves to serve God that way; let 
them alone, and neither kill them nor destroy 
their monasteries: and you will find another 
sort of people that belong to the synagogue of 
Satan, who have shaven crowns; be sure you 
cleave their skulls, and give them no quarter 
till they either turn Mohammedan or pay 
tribute.” 

It would seem that God put a spirit of gentle- 
ness into the hearts of these warriors toward 


THE BEGINNING OF WOES. 


those Christians, who, in the solitudes of Syria, 
were keeping the law of God; but the tonsured 
priests and monks were to be slain without 
mercy, unless they accepted the faith of Moham- 
med and paid tribute. Syria was soon wholly 
in the hands of the Saracens: 

In 638 the conquest of Egypt was begun. 
The conquest of Africa, from the Nile to the 
Atlantic, was attempted by the caliph Othman 
in 647; but the Moors were not conquered until 
the beginning of the next century, and then the 
Moslem faith was accepted from Syria to the 
Straits of Gibraltar. In 711 the Arabs crossed 
these straits into Spain, and the horn of the 
Crescent, the Moslem standard, reached the 
Pyrenees. Thus the power of their arms was 
extended. They had hoped to encircle the 
Mediterranean, and, having driven out the pa- 
pacy, to seat Mohammedanism in place of Chris- 
tianity in the City of Seven Hills. But in 732 
A. D., the onward progress of the Saracens was 
checked by Charles Martel, in the battle of 
Tours, in France, and relinquishing the hope of 
gaining Europe on the west, the Mohammedans 
retreated into Spain. Here they established 
schools, and by the cultivation of the arts and 
sciences, won, by the intellect, what they had 
failed to gain by the sword. It was from 
Toledo, Salerno, and other Spanish centers of 
learning, that the light of scientific knowledge 
shone into the darkness of Europe during the 
Middle Ages, and acted its part in breaking the 
strength of the papacy at the dawn of the 
Reformation. 

This is the history of the Saracens as they 
marched south and west. They gradually lost 


167 


When a man’s ways please the 
Lord, he maketh even his enemies 
to be at peace with him. 

Prov. 16:7. 


For before these days rose up 
Theudas, boasting himself to be 
somebody ; to whom a number of 
men, about four hundred, joined 
themselves : who was slain ; andall, 
as many as obeyed him, were scat- 
tered, and brought to nought. 

After this man rose up Judas of 
Galilee in the days of the taxing, 
and drew away much people after 
him: he also perished; and all, 
even as many as obeyed him, were 
dispersed. 

And now I say unto you, Refrain 
from these men, and let them alone: 
for if this counsel or this work be of 
men, it will come to nought. 

Acts 5 :36-38. 


_ They have spoken words, swear- 


ing falsely in making a covenant: 

thus judgment springeth up as hem- 

lock in the furrows of the field. 
Hos. 1074. 


Though he be fruitful among his 
brethren, an east wind shall come, 
the wind of the Lord shall come up 
from the wilderness, and his spring 
shall become dry, and his fountain 
shall be dried up: he shall spoil 
the treasure of all pleasant vessels. 

Hos. 13:15. 


168 


Destroy, O Lord, and divide their 
tongues : for I have seen violence 
and strife in the city. 

Day and night they go about it 
upon the walls thereof: mischief 
also and sorrow are in the midst 
of it. 

Wickedness is in the midst 
thereof : deceit and guile depart not 
from her streets. Psa. 55 : 9-11. 


Their poison is like the poison of 
a serpent: they are like the deaf 
adder that stoppeth her ear. 
Psa. 58:4. 


They have sharpened their tongues 
like a serpent; adders’ poison is 
under their lips. 

Psa. 14023. 


Which long for death, but it 
cometh not; and dig for it more 
than for hid treasures ; 

Which rejoice exceedingly, and 
are glad, when they can find the 
grave. Job 3:21, 22. 


For the love of money is the root 
of all evil: which while some cov- 
eted after, they have erred from the 
faith, and pierced themselves 
through with many sorrows. 

1 Tim. 6:10, 


He casteth forth his ice like mor- 
sels ; who can stand before his cold? 
Psa. 147: 17. 


An inheritance may be gotten 
hastily at the beginning; but the 
end thereof shall not be blessed. 

Prov, 20:21. 


STORY OF THE SEER OF PATMOS. 





their warlike characteristics, and conquered by 
the power of the intellect. The attacks on the 
Eastern Empire were of a different character. 
The constant pressure and oft-repeated assaults 
of the Saracens led men to wish for death. To 
the Saracens who fell in battle was given the 
sure promise of a life in paradise. This made 


They lost 
their warlike 
characteristics, 
and 
conquered 






them unmindful of death, and especially in the 
East the Saracens stung men with their false 
doctrines, and tormented them by repeated 
attacks. 

Only forty-six years after the flight of Moham- 
med from Mecca, (A.D. 668), the Saracen army ~ 
appeared under the walls of Constantinople. 
They were especially anxious to gain possession 
of this center of wealth and commerce, and there 
was a saying among the followers of the prophet, 
that the first army which besieged the city 
should have its sins forgiven. With this induces 
ment ever before them, the troops landed and 
formed the siege. But they had underestimated 
the strength of the fortress, and were dismayed 
by the use of fire, recently introduced into 
Grecian warfare. On the approach of winter, 
they retreated; but for six summers, in succes- 
sion, the siege was carried on without success.- 





THE BEGINNING OF WOES. 


Finally in 677 a thirty years’ truce was signed 
by the Greeks and Saracens at Damascus. 

During the years 716 and 718 a Saracen 
army again overran Asia Minor, crossed the 
Hellespont, and for the first time, landed on 
European soil. History states, that the gen- 
eral stood at the head of one hundred and 
twenty thousand Arabs and Persians, and 
that one thousand eight hundred ships ap- 
proached the Bosporus, both armies intending 
to attack the capital at the same moment- 
Again Greek fire saved the threatened empire. 
The citizens of Constantinople loaded ships 
with combustibles, sent these into the midst 
of the fleet of the enemy, and the Arabs 
with their arms and vessels were consumed by 
the flam.es or the waves. The following winter 
was unusually severe, and this, together with the 
aid rendered the Greeks by an army of Bulga- 
rians, and the report of still stronger forces who 
were arming in the West, made it advisable to 
give up, this second attempt, to capture Constan- 
tinople. These were the “locusts” that spread 
over the face of the earth. Like the insect from 
which they are named, they devoured everything 
that came in their way, and stung men as a 
scorpion stings with its tail. 

The failure of the Arabs to capture Constan- 
tinople during these years was due to the 
absence of a centralized government; for the 
Saracens were still controlled by caliphs; and 
jealousy had led to the elevation of several lead- 
ers, each faction having its following. They 
went, as Solomon said of the locusts, in bands 
without a king. The dash of the Arab cavalry 
is proverbial in history. Arabia is considered to 





Behold, therefore I will deliver 
thee to the men of the east fora 


Possession, and they shall set their 
palaces in thee, and make their 
dwellings in thee: they shall eat 
thy fruit, and they shall drink thy 
milk, 


Eze. 25: 4. 


Thy crowned are as the locusts, 
and thy captains as the great grass- 
hoppers, which camp in the hedges 
in the cold day, but when the sun 
ariseth they flee away, and their 
place is not known where they are. 

Nahum 3:17. 


Thou shalt carry much seed out 
into the field, and shalt gather but 
little in; for the locust shall con- 
sume it. Deut. 28 :38. 


Without counsel purposes are 
disappointed: but in the multitude 
of counsellors they are established. 

Prov. 15:22. 


They said, Nay ; but we will have 
a king over us ; 

That we also may be like all the 
nations; and that our king may 
judge us, and go out before us, and 
fight our battles. 

1 Sam. 8:19, 20. 


170 STORY 


Their horses also are swifter than 
the leopards, and are more fierce 
than the evening wolves : and their 
horsemen shall spread themselves, 
and their horsemen shall come from 
far ; they shall fly as the eagle that 
hasteth to eat. Hab. 1:8. 


Zech. 10:3. 


I hearkened and heard, but they 
spake not aright: no man repented 
him of his wickedness, saying, 
What have I done? every one turned 
to his course, as the horse rusheth 
into the battle. Jer. 8:6. 


The horse is prepared against the 
day of battle : but safety is of the 
Lord. Prov. 21:31. 


And to them it was given that 
they should not kill them, but that 
they should be tormented five 
months ; and their torment was as 
the torment of a scorpion, when 
he striketh a man, 

And in those days shall men seek 
death, and shall not find it; and 
shall desire to die, and death shall 
flee from them. 

And the shapes of the locusts 
were like unto horses prepared 
unto battle; and on their heads 
were as it were crowns like gold, 
and their faces were as the faces 
of men. 

And they had hair as the hair of 
women, and their teeth were as 
the teeth of lions. 

And they had breastplates, as it 
were breastplates of iron; and 
the sound of their wings was as 
the sound of chariots of many 
horses running to battle. 

And they had tails like unto 
- scorpions, and there were stings 
in their tails: and their power 
was to hurt men five months. 

Rev. 9: 6-10. 


Death and life are in the power 
of the tongue, Prov. 18:21. 


If a man have long hair, itis a 


shame unto him, = _ 1 Cor. 11: 14. 


He will be a wild man ; his hand 
will be against every man, and every 
man’s hand against him ; and he 
shall dwell in the presence of all 
his brethren, - Gen, 16:12. 


OF THE SEER OF PATMOS. 





be the home of the horse; and Gibbon says 
(chapter 50): “These horses are educated in 
the tents, among the children of the Arabs, with 
a tender familiarity, which trains them in the 
habits of gentleness and attachment. They aré 
accustomed only to walk or to gallop; their sen- 
sations are not blunted by the incessant abuse of 
the spur and the whip; their powers are pre- 
served for the moments of flight and pursuit; 
but no sooner do they feel the touch of the hand, 
or the stirrup, than they dart away with the 
swiftness of the wind; and if their friend be 
dismounted in the rapid career, they instantly 
stop till he has recovered his seat.” Since so 
much of the success of these human locusts 
depended upon the steeds which they rode, it is 
not surprising that the prophet John saw them 
“like unto horses prepared unto battle;” and it 
is also not surprising to find that the tail of a 
horse was often used as an ensign by the Bedouin 
chiefs. The crown worn by the Arab, was the 
turban which was unfurled when Mohammed 
became prince of Medina, and “to assume which 
is proverbially to turn Mussulman.” Personally 
the Arab is grave and dignified ; “his speech is 
slow, weighty, and concise; he is seldom pro- 
voked to laughter, his only gesture is that of 
stroking his beard, the venerable symbol of 
manhood.” ‘Though they wore long hair, which 
to the European has the appearance of effeminacy, 
yet from the days of Ishmael, a tenderness 
mingled with the savage nature of the lion, 
seems to have characterized the men of the 
desert Gibbon, in his graphic description of 
the Arab, nicely illustrates this fact in these 
words: ‘If a Bedouin discovers from afar a soli- 


THE BEGINNING OF WOES. 


tary traveler, he rides furiously against him, cry- 
ing with a loud voice, ‘ Undress thyself, thy aunt 
[my wife] is without a garment.’ A ready sub- 
mission entitles him to mercy; resistance will 
provoke the aggressor, and his own blood must 
expiate the blood which he presumes to shed in 
legitimate defence. A single robber, or a few 
associates, are branded with their genuine name ; 
but the exploits of a numerous band assume the 
character of a lawful and honorable war. The 
temper of a people thus armed against mankind, 
was doubly inflamed by the domestic license of 
rapine, murder, and revenge.” The breastplates 
of iron, spoken of by John, refer to the cuirasses 
with which the soldiers were provided from the 
days of. Mohammed. 

Enough has been said to show the vividness 
of the’ prophetic description of the charge of the 
Arab cavalry, who were armed with scimiters, 
protected by cuirasses, and seated on horses 
swift as the wind. 

“They had a king over them, which is the 
angel of the bottomless pit, whose name is 
Destroyer.” This character might in 
truth be imputed to the Arab caliphs, who 
directed the armies for so many years after the 
death of Mohammed ; but it is especially applic- 
able to Othman, the founder of the Ottoman 
Empire. This, the first attempted centraliza- 
tion of government was the outgrowth of the 
doctrines of Mohammed. “Othman,” says the 
historian, “‘ possessed, and perhaps surpassed, the 
ordinary virtues of a soldier; and the circum- 
stances of time and place were propitious to his 
independence and success.’ The close of the 
thirteenth century was near. The Crusades had 


oo e e 


171 


And unto him that smiteth thee 
on the one cheek offer also the © 
other ; and him that taketh away 
thy cloke forbid not to take thy 
coat also, 

Give to every man that asketh of 
thee ; and of him that taketh away 
thy goods ask them not again. 

Luke 6 : 29, 30. 


An evil man seeketh only rebel- 
lion: therefore a cruel messenger 
shall be sent against him. 

Prov. 17:11. 


A man that hath friends must 
shew himself friendly : and there is 
a friend that sticketh closer than a 
brother. Prov. 18 324. 


Order ye the buckler and shield, 
and draw near to battle. 

Harness the horses ; and get up, 
ye horsemen, and stand forth with 
your helmets ; furbish the spears, 
and put on the brigandines. 

Jer. 4623, 4. 


And they had a king over them, 
which is the angel of the bottom- 
less pit, whose name in the He- 
brew tongue is Abaddon, but in the 
Greek tongue hath his name 
Apollyon. Rev. 9:11. 


He beholdeth all high things : he 
isa king over all the children of 
pride. Job 41:34. 


I chose out their way, and sat 
chief, and dwelt as a king in the 
army. Job 29:25. 


172 STORY 


The residue of the number of arch- 
ers, the mighty men of the children 
of Kedar, shall be diminished : for 
the Lord God of Israel hath spoken 
it. Isa. 21 217. 


Tell ye, and bring them near; 
yea, let them take counsel together : 
who hath declared this from ancient 
time? who hath told it from that 
time? have not I the Lord? and 
there is no God else beside me; a 
just God and a Saviour; there is 
none beside me. Isa. 45 321. 


FIVE MONTHS, 
Gen. 7:11. The flood began the 
17th day of the 2nd month, 
Gen. 8:3,4. Waters abated the 
17th day of the 7th month. 
Gen. 7:24. The flood continued 
150 days, hence 150 days=5 months. 


Each day for a year. 
Num. 14:34. 
July 27, 1299 plus 150 years=July 
27) 1449 


Ezra 9:8. 


Calling a ravenous bird from the 
east, the man that executeth my 
counsel from a far country : yea, I 
have spoken it, I will also bring it 
to pass; I have purposed it, I will 
also do it. Isa. 46:11. 


Ye have plowed wickedness, ye 
have reaped iniquity ; ye have eaten 
the fruit of lies: because thou didst 
trust in thy way, in the multitude of 
thy mighty men, Hosea 10:13. 


OF THE SEER OF PATMOS. 





thrust Europe against the Turks in a most reck- 
less manner. Constantinople had numerous 
emperors, but the Greek government grew 
weaker, and the time of its’ destruction was 
stealthily approaching. “It was on July 27, 
A.D., 1299,” says Gibbon, “that Othman first 
invaded the territory of Nicomedia; and the 
singular accuracy of the date seems to disclose 
some foresight of the rapid and destructive 
growth of the monster.” More than human 
foresight recorded this date with such definite- 
ness. To the prophet on Patmos, it had been 
revealed that “their power was to hurt men five 
months.” 

Five prophetic months is the equivalent of one 
hundred and fifty literal years, one day meaning 
a year, and counting thirty days to the month. 
Since the exact day for the beginning of this 
power is given, the expiration of the five months 
may be reckoned to the day. It closed July 27, 
1449. It is these dates which enable the 
student of the trumpets, to locate the events 
which take place under each trumpet. These 
dates are “nails in a sure place” for both the 
first and the second woe. 

To show that in 1299 power was given “to hurt 
men five months” we have the testimony of histo- 
rians. After speaking of the invasion by Oth- 
man of Nicomedia, which was the eastern frontier 
of the Greek Empire, Gibbon continues: “The 
annals of the twenty-seven years of his reign 
would exhibit a repetition of the same inroads; 
and his hereditary troops were multiplied in each 
campaign by the accession of captives and volun- 
teers.” The successors of Othman, the founder 
of the Ottoman Empire, each pushed his con- 


THE BEGINNING OF WOES. 


quests nearer to the coveted seat of power. <A 
regular standing army of twenty-five thousand 
Moslems was organized by the son of Othman. 
Asia Minor was completely in his hands, and the 
seven churches referred to in the first chapter of 
Revelation were desecrated by the religion of 
Mohammed. So near was the Turkish rule to 
the throne that in 1346 Orchan, the successor 
of Othman, demanded and obtained, as a wife, 
the daughter of the Greek emperor, and the 
princess left her home in Constantinople to 


173 


He shall enter also into the glori- 
ous land, and many countries shall 
be overthrown: but these shall es- 
cape out of his hand, even Edom, 
and Moab, and the chief of the chil- 
dren of Ammon. 

He shall stretch forth his hand 
also upon the countries: and the 
land of Egypt shall not escape. 


But he shall have power over the 
treasures of gold and of silver, and 
over all the’ precious* things of 
Egypt: and the Libyans and the 
Ethiopians shall be at his steps. 

Dan. 11 : 41-43. 



































































































































live in the harem of the Turk. Between 
1360 and 1380, the third sovereign of the 
Turks, conquered 











































































































Thrace, and fixed 
the capital of his 
empire and his re- 
ligion at Adriano- 
ple, almost within 
the shadow of Con- 
stantinople. Never 
before had the 
Greek Empire been 
surrounded on all 
sides by the foe. 
The fourth king, Bajazet by name, was sur- 
named Ilderim, or “the lightning,” because 
of the fiery energy of his soul, and the 
rapidity of his destructive marches. Constan- 
tinople was sorely pressed, and were not the 
hand of God recognized, the fact that the down- 
fall was delayed for another fifty years might 
seem a mere accident. Called to contend with 
a Scythian force from the East, the Turks were 
obliged to postpone activities in Greece for a 
number ot years. The Byzantine court, instead 




















Constantinople. 


And he said unto them, I beheld 
Satan as lightning fall from heaven. 
Luke 10: 18, 


Heaven and earth shall pass away, 
but my words shall not pass away. 
Matt. 24:35. 


His lord was wroth, and deliv. 
ered him to the tormentors, till he 
should pay all that was due unto 
him, Matt. 18:34. 


174 STORY 


One woe is past; and, behold, 
there come two woes more here- 
after. Rev. 9:12. 


In the fourth generation they 
shall come hither again : for the in- 
iquity of the Amorites is not yet 
full. Gen. 15: 16. 


Another angel came and stood at - 


the altar, having a golden censer ; 
and there was given unto him much 
incense, that he should offer it with 
the prayers of all saints upon the 
golden altar which was before the 
throne. Rev. 8:3. 


Who can bring a clean thing out 
of an unclean? not one. 

Seeing his days are determined, 
the number of his months are with 
thee, thou hast appointed his 
bounds that he cannot pass; 

Turn from him, that he may rest, 
till he shall accomplish, as an hire- 
ling, his day. Job 1474-6. 


The steps of his strength shall be 
Straitened, and his own counsel 
shall cast him down. 

For he is cast into a net by his 
own feet, and he walketh upon a 
snare. 

The “gin shall take him by the 
heel, and the robber shall prevail 
against him. 

The snare is laid for him in the 
ground,and trap for him in the 
way. Job 18: 7-10, 


And the sixth angel sounded, and 
! heard a voice from the four 
horns of the golden altar which is 
before God, 

Saying to the sixth angel which 
had the trumpet, Loose the four 
angels which are bound in the 
great river Euphrates. 


Rev. 9:13, 14, 3 


OF THE SEER OF PATMOS. 





of profiting by the imminent danger, grew 
weaker. The one hundred and fifty years of 
torment, not destruction, was about to close. 
“One woe is past; and, behold, there come two 
woes more hereafter.” The restraining hand of 
God had held contending forces in check, waiting, 
waiting, until the extreme limit of time, for men 
to acknowledge the righteousness of Jehovah. 
But at the sounding of the sixth trumpet a voice 
was heard from the four horns of the altar,—the 
altar before which Christ offers the prayers of 
saints,—saying, “Loose the four angels which 
are bound in the great river Euphrates.” Dur- 
ing the one hundred and fifty years, the Turks 
had power to torment, but when their armies 
seemed on.the very verge of victory over 
the Greek Empire,- their force was abated by 
troubles from the regions of the Euphrates. 
(See Gibbon, Chap. 65). The time was coming 
when they would not only torment, but kill. In 
1448 the death of John Palzologus left the 
throne of Constantinople in a weak and preca- 
rious condition. Constantine, his successor, 
could claim no territory beyond the limits of the 
city, and the throne was already held by virtue 
of the grace of Amurath, the Turkish ruler. 
The gracious approbation of the Turkish sultan 
announced the supremacy of Constantine, and 
the approaching downfall of the Eastern Empire. 
The Turkish power had been bound, in a meas- 
ure, by Rome; for as long as Rome held Con- 
stantinople, the Saracen power was limited in 
the East. When the sultan dictated to Rome, 
then, were fulfilled the words, “ Loose the four 
angels which are bound in the great river Eu- 
phrates.”” These words seem especially to refer 


2 


THE BEGINNING OF WOES. a7 


to Bagdad, Damascus, Aleppo and Iconium,— 
four sultanies bordering on the region of the Eu- 
phrates. No power could now resist, and the 
Moslem ruler soon gained the long coveted for- 
tress on the Bosporus. The death of Amurath 
in 1451, and the succession of Mohammed II., 
a wily man full of ambition and restless of re- 
straint, did not retard the conquest. Moham- 
med’s one design was to capture Constantinople. 
“Peace was on his lips but war was in his heart,” 
and every energy was bent toward the accom- 
plishment of this design. At midnight he once 
started from his bed, and demanded the immedi- 
ate attendance of his prime vizier. The man 
came trembling, fearing the detection of some 
previous crime. He made his offering to the 
sultan, but was met with the words, “I aska 
present far more valuable and important,— 
Constantinople.” Mohammed II.: tested the 
loyalty of his soldiers, warned his ministers 
against the bribery of the Romans, studied the 
art of war and the use of firearms. He engaged 
the services of a founder of cannon, who promised 
weapons that could batter down the walls of the 
city. In April, 1453, the memorable siege was 
formed. At the sound of the war trumpet, the 
forces of Mohammed II. were increased by 
swarms of fearless fanatics until, as Phranza has 
said, the besieging army numbered two hundred 
and fifty-eight thousand. Constantinople fell; 
the last vestige of Roman greatness was gone, 
and the Moslem conquerors trampled the religion 
of Rome in the dust. This memorable event 
affected all future history. The fall shocked 
Europe; and the convulsions had not passed, 
before the light of the Reformation broke the 


So I returned, and considered all 
the oppressions that are done under 
the sun: and behold the tears of 
such as were oppressed, and they 
had no comforter ; and on the side 
of their oppressors there was power 
but they had no comforter. 

Eccl. 4:1. 


My hom shalt thou exalt like the 
horn of anunicorn. Psa. g2: 10. 


Moreover I saw under the sun 
the place of judgment, that wicked- 
mess was there; and the place of 
righteousness, that iniquity was 
there. Eccl. 3 : 16. 


For a dream cometh through the 
multitude of business. Eccl. 5:3. 


Lo, this only have I found, that 
God hath made man upright; but 
they have sought out many inven- 
tions. Eccl. 7:29. 


Dan. 2: 40, 41. 


Thus saith the Lord God; Re- 
move the diadem, and take off the 
crown: this shall not be the same: 
exalt him that is low, and abase 
him that is high. 

I will overturn, overturn, over- 
turn, it: and it shall be no more, 
until he come whose night it is; 
and I will give it him, 

Eze. 21 26, 27. 


And the four angels were loosed, 
which were prepared for an hour, 
and a day, and a month, anda 
year, for to slay the third part of 
men. 

And the number of the army of 
the horsemen. were two hundred 
thousand thousand: and | heard 
the number of them. 

And thus | saw the horses in the 
vision, and them that sat on them, 
having breastplates of fire, and of 
jacinth, and brimstone: and the 
heads of the horses were as the 
heads of lions; and out of their 
mouths issued fire and smoke and 
brimstone. Rev. 9 : 16-17 


176 STORY OF THE SEER OF PATMOS. 


By these three was the third 
part of men killed, by the fire, and 
by the smoke, and by the brimstone, 
which issued out of their mouths. 

For their power is in their 
mouth, and in their tails: for 
their tails were like unto serpents, 
and had heads, and with them 
they do hurt. Rev. 9:18,19. 


Hast thou given the horse 
strength? hast thou clothed his 
neck with thunder? 


Job 39: 19-25. 





The discharge of the firearms appeared like fire issuing 
from the mouths of the horses. 


EXPLANATION OF REV. 9:15. 
I have appointed thee each day 


for a year. Eze. 4:6. 


x prophetic day=1 year, or 360 
literal days. 

1 prophetic hour=1-24 of 360 days, 
or 15 days. 

1 prophetic day=1 literal year, 

1 prophetic month=3o literal years, 

1 prophetic year=360 literal years. 

360 years plus 3o years plus r 
year=391 years, 

Total, 391 years and 15 days. 

July 27, 1449, plus 391 years, 15 
days=Aug. 11, 1840. 


darkness which shrouded the Western Empire. 
While the smoke from the “bottomless pit” 
was settling over the East, streaks of light 
heralded a coming dawn in the nations of Europe 

The characteristics, given by the prophet in 
describing the Turkish forces under the second 
woe, are similar to the description of the cavalry 
who fought for Mohammed under the first woe. 
The breastplate of iron and the scimiter of the 
Saracens, had been replaced by the firearms of the 
Turks, but the oy, of the charge in the fifteenth 
century had lost none 
of the terrors of 
those earlier horse- 
men. Fire, smoke, 
and brimstone issued 
from the mouths of 
these warriors. The 
discharge of the fire- 
arms, as seen by the 
prophet in vision, 
appeared like fire 
issuing from the 
mouths of the horses. 


in their tail. Isaiah says, “‘ The ancient and hon- 
orable, he is the head; and the prophet that 
teacheth lies, he is the tail.’ Their military 
valor was one thing in favor of the Turks; the 
unity of the faith in Mohammed and the zeal in- 
spired by that prophet to kill the “infidels” (Chris- 
tians), was a factor equally as potent. 

The power which came on the stage of action 
July 27, 1449, was to bear sway for an hour and 
a day and a month and a year,—three hundred 
ninety-one years and fifteen days, literally speak- 


The power was also ~. 





THE BEGINNING OF WOES. 


ing. This is a wonderful prophecy, the only 
one in the Bible where the time of the ful- 
fillment is given to the very day. At the end of 
this period, Turkey would cease to be an inde- 
pendent power. Three hundred and ninety-one 
years and fifteen days from July 27, 1449, brings 
us to August 11, 1840. There are four great 
waymarks in the world’s history connected with 
Constantinople. First, when it was founded in 
330 A.D. second, its capture by the Turks July 27, 
1449; third, when the sultan of Turkey signed 
away his independence August 11,1840. There 
is no date given for the fourth great waymark ; 
namely, when the capital of Turkey will be re- 
moved from Constantinople to Jerusalem “ be- 
tween the seas in the glorious holy mountain.” 

In 1838 Josiah Litch and William Miller, after 
a careful study of the prophecies, came to the 
conclusion that on this last date nations might 
expect to see the Turkish sultan surrender his 
power. This prophecy was published to the 
world, but there were events transpiring which 
also called the attention of nations to Constan- 
tinople. The sultan of Turkey and Mehemet 
Ali, pasha of Egypt, were at war, the pasha re- 
fusing an indemnity demanded by the ruler of 
Turkey. In 1839 the pasha was victorious in 
battle over the Turkish army, and he sent another 
force under command of his son into Syria and 
Asia Minor, and threatened to carry his victori- 
ous arms against Constantinople. At this 
juncture, England, Austria, Prussia and Russia, 
combined in the demand that the pasha should 
confine himself to Syria and Egypt. A council 
of these four powers was held July 15, 1840. 
The ruler of Turkey agreed to abide by their 


iz 


177 


FOUR WAYMARKS IN THE HISTORY 
OF CONSTANTINOPLE. 
ist. The dragon gave him his 
power, and his seat, and great au- 
thority. Rey. 13 :2. 


2nd. Loose the four angels which 
are bound in the great river Eu- 
phrates. Rev. 9:14. 

3rd. And the four angels were 
loosed, which were prepared for an 
hour, and a day, and a month, and 
a year. Rev. 9 #15. 


4th. And he shall plant the tab- 
ernacles of his palace between the 
seas in the glorious holy mountain 
yet he shall come to his end, and 
none shall help him. 
Dan, 11:45. 


I have declared the former things 
from the beginning ; and they went 
forth out of my mouth, and I 
shewed them ; I did them suddenly, 
and they came to pass. 

Isa. 48 3-6. 


Whoso is wise, and will observe 
these things, even they shall under- 
stand the lovingkindness of the 
Lord. Psa. 107 : 43. 


For they know not to do right. 
saith the Lord, who store up vio- 
lence and robbery in their palaces. 

Therefore thus saith the Lord 
God; An adversary there shall be 
even round about the land ; and he 
shall bring down thy strength from 
thee, and thy palaces shall be 
spoiled. Amos 3 : 10, 11. 


178 STORY 


All the men of thy confederacy 
have brought thee even to the bor- 
der: the men that were at peace 
with thee have deceived thee, and 
prevailed against thee ; they that 
eat thy bread have laid a wound 
under thee: there is none under- 


standing in him. Obad. 7. 


His mischief shall return upon 
his own head, and his violent deal- 
ing shall come down upon his own 
pate. Psa. 7 : 16. 


He shall spread forth his hands 
in the midst of them, as he that 
swimmeth spreadeth forth his hands 
to swim: and he shall bring down 
their pride together with the spoils 
of their hands. 

And the fortress of the high fort 
of thy walls shall he bring down, 
lay low, and bring to the ground, 


even to the dust. Isa. 25 11, 12. 


Dan, 11 * 45. 


He shall come to his end, and 
none shall help him. 

And at that time shall Michael 
Stand up, the great prince which 
standeth for the children of thy 
people : and there shall be a time 
of trouble, such as never was since 
there was a nation even to that 
same time: and at that time thy 
people shall be delivered, every 
one that shall be found written in 
the book. Dan. 11453 12:1. 


Rev. 7:1. 


There shall be signs in the sun, 
and in the moon, and in the stars ; 
and upon the earth distress of na- 
tions, with perplexity; the sea and 
the waves roaring ; 

Men’s hearts failing them for 
fear, and for looking after those 
things which are coming on the 
earth: for the powers of heaven 
shall be shaken. 

And then shall they see the Son 
of man coming in a cloud with 
power and great glory. 

Luke 21 : 25-27. 


OF THE SEER OF PATMOS. . 


” 


decision, and was only too glad to have his life — 


saved by their intervention. He thereby volun- 
tarily surrendered all rights into the hands of the 
combined forces of Western Europe. In the 
official document drawn up by the representatives 
of the nations concerned, are these words: “It 
having been felt that all the zealous labors of the 
conferences of London in the settlement of the 
pasha’s pretensions were useless, and that the 
only public way was to have recourse to coercive - 
measures to reduce him to obedience in case he ~ 
persisted in not listening to pacific overtures, the © 
powers have, together with the Ottoman plenipo- 
tentiary, drawn up and signed a treaty whereby 
the sultan offers the pasha the hereditary gov- 
ernment of Egypt, . . . the pasha, on 
his part, evacuating all other parts of the sultan’s 
dominions now occupied by him and returning 
the Ottoman fleet. . . . If the pasha re- 
fuses to accede to them, it is evident that the 
evil consequences to fall upon him will be attrib- 
utable solely to his own fault.” : 
This treaty was signed, and the ultimatum 
was officially put in the power of Mehemet Ali 
on August 11, 1840. Since that time Turkey 
has been known everywhere as the “Sick Man 
of the East.” Daniel prophesied concerning 
him, saying, “He shall plant the tabernacles of 
his palace between the seas in the glorious holy 
mountain ; yet he shall come to his end, and none 
shall help him.” At any moment, when the 
jealous powers of Europe can decide, either 
peaceably, or in battle, which one of them shall 
occupy Constantinople, the “Sick Man” will 
speedily take his departure from Europe. That 
movement, for which nations are now on the 






THE BEGINNING OF WOES. 


alert, will be the sign of still more important 
changes in the heavenly court. 

The importance of the prophecy, and the exact- 
ness with which it was fulfilled, to the very day, 
should lead to a careful investigation of that divine 
history, which circles about the years 1840 to 
1844. Its study will lead men to look for changes 
in the heavens as well as upon earth; for when 

‘the capital of Turkey is removed to Palestine, 


then Christ, finishing His work in the sanctuary, 


throws His censer on the earth as a signal for 
the final dissolution of all things. 

The closing words of the ninth chapter are a 
sad commentary on the condition of the world, and 
although the revelation of Jesus Christ is given in 
the Word, in nature, and may be read in the rela. 
tion of nations to each other, yet “the rest of the 
men which were not killed by these plagues yet 
repented not of the works of their hands, that 
they should not worship devils, and idols of gold, 
and silver, and brass, and stone, and of wood. 
. . . Neither repented they of their murders, 
nor of their sorceries, nor of their fornication, 
nor of their thefts.” 

As the end draws near iniquity waxes greater. 
The fall of nations has ever been used as a sym- 
bol of the final destruction of the earth. Men 
see these things and yet continue in their idola- 
try, their theft, and their fornication. How 
precious in the sight of the Lord is that little 
company who by faith see Jesus, and follow- 
ing Him in His work above, reflect His character 
to the world! The faithful ones are to-day being 
sealed; for we are nearing the close of time, and 
eternity will soon open to the redeemed, 


179 


But sanctify the Lord God in 
your hearts ; and be ready always to 
give an answer to every man that 
asketh you areason of the hope that 
is in you with meekness and fear. 

r Pet. 3:15. 


The angel took the censer, and 
filled it with fire of the altar, and 
cast it into the earth: and there 
were voices, arid thunderings, and 
lightnings, and an earthquake, 

Rev. 8:5. 


John 15:5. 
Isa. 5:12. 


And the rest of the men which 
were not killed by these plagues 
yet repented not of the works of 
their hands, that they should not 
worship devils, and idols of gold, 
and silver, and brass, and stone, 
and of wood: which neither can 
see, nor hear, nor walk: 

Neither repented they of their 
murders, nor of their sorceries 
nor of their fornication, nor of 
their thefts, Rev. 9:20, 21, 


Evil men and seducers shall wax 
worse and worse, deceiving, and 
being deceived. ey ADster e\ Gif 


They shall be mine, saith the 
Lord of hosts, in that day when I 
make up my jewels; and I will 
spare them, as a man spareth his 
own son that serveth him, 

Mal. 3:17. 


The Lord said unto him, Go 
through the midst of the city, 
through the midst of Jerusalem, and 
set a mark upon the foreheads of 
the menthat sigh and that cry for 
all the abominations that be done 
in the midst thereof. 

Eze. 9:4. 





CHAPTER XL 


THE VOICE OF A MIGHTY ANGEL. 


Blow ye the trumpet in Zion, and 
sound an alarm in my holy moun- 
tain: let all the inhabitants of the 
land tremble: for the day of the 
Lord cometh, for it is nigh at hand, 

Joel2:x. 

They shall pass through it, hardly 
bestead and hungry: and it shall 
come to pass, that when they shall 
be hungry, they shall fret them- 
selves, and curse their king and 
their God, and look upward. 

And they shall look unto the 
earth ; and behold trouble and dark- 
ness, dimness of anguish; and they 
shall be driven to darkness. 

Isa. 8:21, 22. 

Luke 15 : 11-22. 

Rev. 16:9. 


Justice and judgment are the 
habitation of thy throne: mercy 
and truth shall go before thy face. 

Psa. 89 3 14. 

Hab. 3 :2. 

Rev. 14 :6, 7. 

Rom, 10:15. 

How beautiful upon the moun- 
tains are the feet of him that bring- 
eth good tidings, that publisheth 
peace ; that bringeth good tidings 
of good, that publisheth salvation ; 
that saith unto Zion, Thy God 
Isa. 52:7. 


180 


reigneth | 


Tue prophet John watched the sounding of the 
sixth trumpet, and saw the woes and terrors of 
national strife, and the darkening of the earth by 
the smoke from the “bottomless pit.” He saw 
men buried beneath the weight of their own sins, 
and although the Son of God was waiting, like 
the father of the prodigal son, for the return of 
the sinful, yet they repented not of their mur- 
ders and sorceries, their fornications and thefts. 
Justice and mercy are inseparably mingled in the 
dealings of God with man, and great woes call 
forth from Jehovah a great overflowing of His 
love. So when the world lay in darkness, un- 
mindful of the voice of God which they might 
have heard in the very din of battle or the coun- 
cils of nations, there came to the world a most 
thrilling message. John heard this message be- 
fore seeing the further.events of the third woe. 

There came from heaven a mighty angel 
clothed with a cloud. He was an ambassador 
from the courts of Jehovah, and his might cor- 


/ THE VOICE OF A MIGHTY 


responded with the court which he represented 
and the power and extent of the message which 
he bore. He was resplendent with the glory of 
the King, from whose presence he came. His 
face shone with the brightness of the sun, and 
his feet as pillars of fire. Here is a description 
oi creative power ; and the King’s message which 
he came to deliver had in it the power, the bril- 
liancy, and the light of Him who spake, and 
worlds stood forth. But the glory, lest it should 
dazzle men’s eyes, was veiled with a cloud. As 
God covered Himself with a cloud, lest Israel 
beholding His brightness should be slain, so the 
glory of the message of the mighty angel was 
softened for mortal eyes by the cloud which 
clothed his form. Men living in harmony with 
their Maker are permitted at times to see the 
cloud withdrawn, and to behold more and more 
of His grandeur. In eternity only, the fullness 
of the message will be comprehended. Breadth 
of experience in the things of God, measures the 
ability ot each individual to penetrate the cloud. 

“And a rainbow was upon his head.” <A 
rainbow encircles the throne of God, but the car- 
nal eye will see little significance in the fact. 
To the one from whose eyes the veil has 
dropped, there is an infinite depth of meaning in 
the rainbow about the angel’s head, and the ap- 
pearance of the bow in our own heavens is, to 
the spiritual soul, a reminder of the everlasting 
covenant made in heaven. The divine historian 
gives the story of the rainbow as it appears in 
our heavens. Back in eternity, God and Christ 
covenanted for the redemption of the race, if man 
should sin after his creation, and so separate 
from his Maker, and the bow about the throne 


ANGEL. 181 


And / saw another mighty angel 
come down from heaven, clothed 
with a cloud: and a rainbow was 
upon his head, and his face was as 
it were the sun, and his feet as 
pillars of fire. Rev. 10:1. 


He that receiveth you receiveth 
me, and he that receiveth me re- 
ceiveth him that sent me. 

Matt. 10:40. 


His body also was like the beryl, 
and his face as the appearance of 
lightning, and his eyes as lamps of 
fire, and his arms and his feet like 
in colour to polished brass, and the 
voice of his words like the voice of 
a multitude. Dan, 10:6. 

Psa, 33 :6, 9. 

Gen, 1: 1-3. 

Moses went into the midst of the 
cloud, and gat him up into the 
mount: and Moses was in the 
mount forty days and forty nights. 

Ex. 24:18. 


1 John 2:20, 27. 

Matt. 17 :4-5. 

Of his fulness have all we re- 
ceived, and grace for grace. 

John 1:16, 

Eph. 1:7, 8. 

Col. 2:9, 10. 

1 Cor, 2: 14-16. 


As the appearance of the bow 
that isin the cloud in the day of 
rain, so was the appearance of the 
brightness round about. This was 
the appearance of the likeness of 
the glory of the Lord. 

Eze, 1:28. 


Acts 9:18. 


The bow shall be in the cioud ; 
and I will look upon it, that I may 
remember the everlasting covenant 
between God and every living crea- 
ture of all flesh that is upon the 
earth. Gen. 9 : 12-17. 


Gen. 6: 18-20, 


Thus saith the high and lofty One 
that inhabiteth eternity, whose 
name is Holy; I dwell in the high 
and holy place. Isa. 57 : 15. 

The Lamb slain from the founda 
tion of the world. Rev. 13:8 


182 STORY 


Psa. 103 319,20. 


For this is as the waters of Noah 
unto me: for as I have sworn that 
the waters of Noah should no more 
go over the earth ; so have I sworn 
that I would not be wroth with 
thee, nor rebuke thee. 

My kindness shall not depart 
from thee, neither shall the cov- 
enant of my peace be removed, 
saith the Lord that hath mercy on 
thee. Isa. 54:9, 10. 






It shall come to pass, when I 
bring a cloud over the earth, that 
the bow shall be seen in the cloud : 

And I will remember my cov- 
enant, which is between me and 
you. Gen. 9:14, 15. 


For I know the thoughts that I 
think toward you, saith the Lord, 
thoughts of peace, and not of evil, 
to give you an expected end. 

Jer. 29: 11-13. 


Now the God of peace, that 
brought again from the dead our 
Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of 
the sheep, through the blood of the 
everlasting covenant, 

Make you perfect in every good 
work to do his will, working in 
you that which is wellpleasing in 
his sight, through Jesus Christ ; 
to whom be glory for ever and ever. 
Armen. Heb. 13 :20, 21. 


An eternal token of the 
redemption of man. 


OF THE SEER OF PATMOS. 





was made the token of the covenant. Ever 
since, it has had its place about the throne, and 
it became an eternal token of the redemption of 
man. Angels and beings of unfallen worlds be- 
hold the bow, and bow in reverence to the One 
on the throne. But the human eye cannot look 
into heaven, so when the Lord saved Noah and 
his family from the flood, He placed this same 
sign in the clouds of earth as a token of redemp- 
tion. Like a little piece of 
heaven transported to the 
earth the bow is a reminder 
to man that God has toward 
him constant thoughts of 
peace and thoughts of right- 
eousness. But the story -is 
yet more wonderful; for God 
not only looks upon the bow 
about the throne, and is re- 
minded of man; but He 
jooks upon the bow in the clouds, and is drawn 
in heart toward earth. Every cloud that 
floats in the sky contains a bow. The cloud 
may appear dark and threatening to us; but 
the sun shining upon the other side forms 
the bow, and God looks upon it, and “ remem- 
bers the everlasting covenant between God and 
every living creature,” the covenant that makes 
“you perfect in every good work to do His will, 
working in you that which is well pleasing in 
His sight, through Jesus Christ.” Every cloud 
should be a reminder to us that God is willing 
to help and strengthen us. If sunshine floods 
the path of mortals, its glory is God’s smile. 
If through tears we look heavenward, the light, 
shining through the drops on our eyelashes, 


THE VOICE OF A MIGHTY ANGEL. 


forms the colors of the rainbow of promise. So 
near is God to man. The rainbow about the 
_ mighty angel’s head, shows the loving kindness 
of the Father, and pledges redemption in the 
message that he brings. The insignia of earthly 
potentates sink into insignificance before those 
worn by the messenger of the King of kings. 
Jehovah was in the burning bush by the wayside ; 
the same God, with ten thousand of His saints, 
proclaimed His fiery law from Sinai. God 
revealed Himself to the prophets and writers of 
the Old Testament, and the same Father of us 
all spoke through Christ to the apostles, and 
opened the eyes of the prophet on Patmos. 
And in order that men may see the oneness of 
the divine word, the mighty angel binds together 
the Old and the New Testaments. The one 
prophet, who, before Christ, gave the date of 
His first advent, and who also gave the time of 
His second coming and of the end, was Daniel. 
Daniel’s prophecy was preeminently a time mes- 
sage, and when he sought to understand the 
times, which had been revealed to him, he was 
told to “shut up the words, and seal the book, 
even to the time of the end.” The message 
was not for Daniel to comprehend, but in the 
time of the end, many would “run to and fro,” 
knowledge would increase, and the wise, in- 
structed of the Lord, would understand what 
had for ages been sealed. The period of time 
which Daniel sought to understand, was the two 
thousand three hundred days, at the end of 
which time, the sanctuary would be cleansed. 
This is the only sealed message of the Word, 
and yet the last promise made to Daniel, was 
that he should stand in his lot “at the end of the 


183 


Jer. 31:3. 
Isa. 63:7. 
Psa. 92:2. 


The angel of the Lord appeared 
unto him in a flame of fire out of the 
midst of a bush: and he looked, 
and, behold, the bush burned with 
fire, and the bush was not con- 
sumed, Ex, 3:2. 


Searching what, or what manner 
of time the Spirit of Christ which 
was in them did signify, when it 
testified beforehand the sufferings 
of Christ, and the glory that should 
follow. 

Unto whom it was revealed, that 
not unto themselves, but unto us 
they did minister the things, which 
are now reported unto you by them 
that have preached the gospel unto 
you with the Holy Ghost sent down 
from heaven; which things the 
angels desire to look into. 

1 Pet. 1:11, 12. 


Dan. 9: 25-27. 
Dan. 8:13, 14. 


Many shall run to and fro, and 
knowledge shail be increased. 
Dan. 12:4. 


Dan, 12:10, 


But go thou thy way till the end 
be : for thou shalt rest, and stand 
in thy lot at the end of the days. 

Dan, 12:13. 


184 STORY 


And he had in his hand a little 
book open: and he set his right 
foot upon the sea, and his left foot 
on the earth, Rev. 10; 2, 


Go to now, ye rich men, weep 
and howl for your miseries that 
shall come upon you, 

Your riches are corrupted, and 
your garments are motheaten. 

Your goldand silver is cankered ; 
and the rust of them shall be a wit- 
ness against you, and shali eat 
your flesh as it were fire. Ye have 
heaped treasure together for the 
last days. Jas. 521-5. 

As thy servant was busy here and 
there, he was gone. And the king 
of Israel said unto him, So shall 
thy judgment be; thyself hast de- 
cided it, 1 Kings 20: 40. 


And cried with a loud voice, as 
when a lion roareth: and when he 
had cried, seven thunders uttered 
their voices. Rev. 10:8. 


Wherefore he saith, Awake thou 
that sleepest, and arise from the 
dead, and Christ skall give thee 
light. Eph. 5: 14. 

Tsa. 5 329, 30. 

Rev. 14:6, 7. 


He said unto them, Go ye into all 
the world, and preach the gospel to 
every creature. Mark 16:15. 

Jer. 25:15, 16, 

Jer. 15 : 16. 


And when the seven thunders 
had uttered their voices, | was 
about to write: and/ heard a 
voice from heaven saying unto me, 
Seal up those things which the 
seven thunders uttered, and write 
them not. Rev, 10:4, 


And the angel which | saw stand 
upon the sea and upon the earth 
lifted up h.s hand to heaven, 

And sware by him that liveth 
for ever and ever, who created 
heaven, and the things that therein 
are, and the earth, and the things 
that therein are, and the sea, and 
the things which are therein, that 
there should be time no longer. 

Rev. 10:6, 6. 


OF THE SEER OF .PATMOGS: 





days.” John saw the mighty angel descend 
to earth, having in his hand a little book open. 
Not closed, not sealed, but open. It was at the 
close of the second woe, in 1840, that this angel 
with the open book of Daniel, set one foot on 
the land and one on the sea. Men were busy 
with their idolatry, they were heaping gold to- 
gether, rushing to and fro, neither seeing nor 
hearing anything, save that which ministered 
to their earthly desires. Nations were busy 
with their own schemes, unmindful of the over- 
ruling hand of Providence. But the angel's 
message embraced the whole earth: standing 
with one foot on the earth and the other on the 
sea, “he cried with a loud voice” like the roar 
of a lion in the forest, and this cry awoke men 
from their slumber, and startled nations. No 
man was too humble, no place too secluded ; 
that voice penetrated everywhere. It echoed, 
and re-echoed through the world. Men might 
think themselves secure, but the sound shook 
the very earth, causing many a heart to quake 
with fear. Though the voice was so penetrat- 
ing, those who turned their faces toward the 
divine messenger, saw on his brow, the rainbow 
of promise. 

Nature herself seemed to respond to the cry; 
for as the sound rolled through the earth, seven 
thunders uttered their voices as if in response. 
It is useless to speculate on the meaning of the 
thunderings ; for while John understood, he was 
bidden net to write the things which he had 
heard. 

The mighty angel, having the little book open 
in one hand, lifted up the other hand to heaven 
and “sware by Him that liveth for ever and ever, 








“He had in his hand a little book open.” 


hak a 
eta 


ees 


4 


te 
te Oi 





THE VOICE OF A MIGHTY ANGEL. 


- . . that there should be time no longer.” 
Jewish history was divided into distinct periods 
by the prophetic writers. The bondage in 
Egypt was revealed to Abraham; it was also 
plainly prophesied that the Babylonish captivity 
would continue seventy years. The birth of 
Christ was foretold by the prophets, the very 
year of His baptism was foretold by the prophet 
Daniel; His crucifixion and rejection by the 
Jewish nation was also given in an unmistakable 
way. Christians have taunted the Jews with 
blindness because they did not see and under- 
stand, but the dates which cluster about the life 
of Christ are a part of the time prophecy to 
which the mighty angel pointed the world; they 
are a part of the same two thousand three hun- 
dred days which Daniel sought to understand, 
but which were sealed until the time of the end. 

A few years previous to 1840, men began the 
study of the prophecies of Daniel, and came to 
the conclusion that the two thousand three hun- 
-dred days of the eighth chapter must end in 
1844. Thinking that the cleansing of the sanctu- 
ary, spoken of in Daniel 8:14, referred to the 
cleansing of the earth at the advent of Christ, 
the second coming of the Saviour was, in 1840, 
and onward, preached with wonderful power 
throughout the world. In America the move- 
ment was led by William Miller, in England, by 
Edward Irving; in Asia, by Joseph Wolff, a 
Christian Jew; in S-veden, where the laws pro- 
hibited adults from giving the message, children 
preached. The -Spirit of God took possession 
of the little ones, and their words sank deep 
into the hearts of men as they proclaimed “the 
hour of His judgment is come.” ‘Prepare to 
meet your Lord.” 


185 


Time of Bondage in Egypt. 

Gen. 15 : 13-16 ; Ex. 12: 40, 41. 
Length of Babylonish captivity. 
2 Chron. 36:21; Jer. 29: 10. 

Baptism of Christ foretold. 

Dan. 9:25; John ; 41 [margin.] 
Acts 10:38; Matt. 3 : 13-16. 
The year of Christ’s crucifixion. 

Dan. 9:26, 27. 


Ye men of Israel, hear these 
words; Jesus of Nazareth, a man 
approved of God among you by 
miracles and wonders and signs, 
which God did by him in the midst 
of you, as ye yourselves also know : 

Him, being delivered by the de- 
terminate counsel and foreknowl- 
edge of God, ye have taken, and by 
wicked hands have crucified and 
slain. Acts 2:22, 23. 

John 5:39. 

Seek ye out of the book of the 
Lord, and read: no one of these 
shall fail. Isa. 34:16. 


2 Pet. 3:7-10. 


For I am the Lord: I will speak, 
and the word that I shall speak 
shall come to pass ; it shall be no 
more prolonged: for in your days, 
O rebellious house, will I say the 
word, and will perform it, saith the 
Lord God. 

Again the word of the Lord came 
to me, saying, 

Son of man, behold, they of the 
house of Israel say, The vision that 
he seeth is for many days to come, 
and he prophesieth of the times that 
are far off. 

Therefore say unto them, Thus 
saith the Lord God; There shall 
none of my words be prolonged any 
more, but the word which I have 
spoken shall be done, saith the 
Lord God. Eze. 12 : 25-28. 


When the chief priests and scribes 
saw the wonderful. things that he 
did, and the children crying in the 
temple, and saying, Hosanna to the 
son of David; they were sore dis 


pleased. Matt. 21:15. 
Let these sayings sink down into 
your ears. Luke 9 : 44. 
Rev. 1426, 7. 
Amos 4:12, 


186 


The Lord answered me, and said, 
Write the vision, and make it plain 
upon tables, that he may run that 
readeth it. 

For the vision is yet for an ap- 
pointed time, but at the end it shall 
speak, and not lic : though it tarry, 
wait for it; because it will surely 
come, it will not tarry. 


Hab. 222; 4s 


In the day when the keepers of 
the house shall tremble, and the 
strong men shall bow themselves. 

Eccl. 12: ets 


The great day of the Lord is 
near, it is near, and hasteth greatly, 
even the voice of the day of the 
Lord: the mighty man shall cry 
there bitterly. : 

Neither their silver nor their gold 
shall be able to deliver them in the 
day of the Lord’s wrath; but the 
whole land shall be devoured by 
the fire of his jealousy: for he 
shall make even a speedy riddance 
of all them that dwell in the land. 

Zeph. 1: 14-18. 


Rev. 14:6, 7. 

Rev. 10:6. 

x Pet. 424, 02, 25. 

That the trial of your faith, being 
much more precious than of gold 
that perisheth, though it be tried 
with fire, might be found unto praise 
and honour and glory at the appear- 
ing of Jesus Christ. 1 Pet. 1:7. 

Mal. 3:1, 2. 

Behold, they say unto me, Where 
is the word of the Lord? let it come 
now. Jer. 17:15. 
2)Pet. 3°35 4. 

Joel 2:6-11. 


In that day a man shall cast his 
idols of silver, and his idols of gold, 
which they made each one for him- 
self to worship, to the moles and to 


the bats. Isa. 2 + 20. 


The Lord gave the word: great 
was the company of those that pub- 
lished it. Psa. 68:11. 


x Kings 19: 19-21. 


STORY OF THE SEER OF PATMOS. 





In 1838 the termination of the second woe of 
Rev. 9:13-21 was interpreted to end in 1840. 
Said those who were proclaiming the second 
advent: ‘If the Turkish power ceases in 1840, 
that may be considered a sign that the correct 
interpretation has been placed upon the pro- 
phetic periods of Daniel, and we may look for 
the Lord in 1844.” Therefore, in 1840, when 
the world realized that the Turks had fulfilled 
the prophecy to the very day, (see chapter X), 
men of wealth, education, and position, were 
startled to find that they were nearing events 
which seemed to foretell the immediate closing 
up of earth’s history. It was at this time, 1840, 
that the voice of the mighty angel awoke the 
earth with the message, “Fear God and give 
glory to Him, for the hour of His judgment is 
come.” This was a message from the Creator 
of the heavens and the earth, the sea and all liv- 
ing creatures. And he swore “that there 
should be time no longer.” The close of the 
long prophetic period was near at hand. The 
feet of the messenger were like pillars of fire, 
and his message burned its way into the hearts 
of even the most worldly. The sunlight of his 
countenance lighted up the page of the open 
book which he held out to the world; men read 
a new and living meaning in these prophecies. 
To scoff was to defy God Himself. To remain 
indifferent was impossible; for men seemed on 
the brink of eternity. Earthly possessions lost 
their value; homes were sold and men went 
forth to proclaim everywhere the coming of the - 
Son of man. Books and papers were. scattered 
broadcast like the leaves of autumn. As Elisha 
was called from his oxen, so farmers at the 


THE VOICE OF A MIGHTY 


plow were greeted by strangers with the words, 
«Prepare to meet your Lord.” So widespread 
was this truth that school children could be 
heard repeating the familiar quotation from the 
prophecy, “Unto two thousand three hundred 
days then shall the sanctuary be cleansed.” 

The exactness with which the time is given is 
noted in the seventh verse. After proclaiming 
that there should be time no longer, the angel 
said, “But in the days of the voice of the sev- 
enth angel when he shall begin to sound, the 

mystery of God should be finished, as He hath 
’ declared to His servants the prophets.” The 
seventh trumpet, as is the case with the seventh 
church and the seventh seal, begins in time, and 
extends into eternity. It bridges, as it were, 
the gulf between this world and the next: but 
_when the seventh trumpet shall begin to sound, 
“the mystery of God should be finished,” as de- 
clared by the prophets. The sixth trumpet 
ended in 1840. Between the sixth and seventh 
trumpets is a short interval, designated by the 
word “quickly” in Rev. 11:14, and it is in this 
interval that the loud cry of the mighty angel 
was given. The close of the prophetic period 
was 1844, so that the “quickly” would be the 
time between 1840 and 1844, and the seventh 
trumpet began to sound when prophetic time 
was at an end, that is, in 1844. The mystery 
of God is the Gospel of Jesus Christ; the 
sacrifice of the Lamb of God. 

When the prophecy was more fully compre- 
hended than it was between 1840 and 1844, in 
other words, when the cloud was pierced by 
eyes which searched for Christ, the truth in re- 
gard to the heavenly sanctuary was discovered. 


ANGEL. 187 


Out of the mouth of babes and 
sucklings hast thou ordained 
strength because of thine enemies, 
that thou mightest still the enemy 
and the avenger. Psa. 8:2. 

Dan. 8: 14. 

The kingdom and dominion, and 
the greatness of the kingdom under 
the whole heaven, shall be given to 
the people of the saints of the most 
High, whose kingdom is an ever- 
lasting kingdom, and all dominions 
shall serve and obey him. 

Hitherto is the end of the matter. 

Dan. 7:27, 28. 

Dan. 7: 17- 

Dan. 2:44, 45. 


But in the days of the voice of 
the seventh angel, when he shall 
begin to sound, the mystery of 
God should be finished, as he hath 
declared to his servants the proph= 
ets. Rev. 10:7. 


Now to him thatis of power to 
stablish you according to my gos- 
pel, and the preaching of Jesus 


_ Christ, according to the revelation 


of the mystery, which was kept 
secret since the world began. 
Rom. 16:25. 


To make all men see what is 
the fellowship of the mystery, which 
from the beginning of the world 
hath been hid in God, who created 
all things by Jesus Christ. 

Eph. 3 :3-9. 


Heb. 9:2, 3, 7; 23+ 


For Christ is not entered into the 
holy places made with hands, which 
are the figures of the true ; but into 
heaven itself, now to appear in the 
presence of God for us. 

Heb. 9:24. 


188 ‘STORY 


Matt. 22: 11-13. 
Luke 19:12. 
The judgment was set, and the 
books were opened. 
Dan. 7 :9, 10. 
The dead were judged out of 
those things which were written in 
the books, according to their works. 
Rev. 20:12. 


Counting one by one, to find out 
the account. Eccl. 7 : 27. 


Luke 21 : 36. 


For he will finish the account and 
cut it short in righteousness: be- 
cause a short work will the Lord 
make upon the earth. 

Rom. 9:28 [margin,] 

Luke 22:31, 32. 


For, lo, I will command, and I 
will sift the house of Israel among 
all nations, like as corm is sifted in 
a sieve, yet shall not the least grain 
fall upon the earth. Amos 9:9. 


Fora great door and effectual is 
opened unto me. 1 Cor. 16:9. 


2 Cor. 2:12. 


And the voice which | heard 
from heaven spake unto me again, 
and said, Go and take the little 
book which is open in the hand of 
the angel which standeth upon the 
sea and upon the earth. 

And | went unto the angel, and 
said unto him, Give me the little 
book. .And he said unto me, Take 
it, and eat it up; and it shall 
make thy belly bitter, but it shall 
be in thy mouth sweet as honey. 

Rev, 10:8, 9. 


Thy words were found, and I did 
eat them ; and thy word was unto 
me the joy and rejoicing of mine 
heart: for I am called by thy name, 
O Lord God of hosts. 

Jer. 15::16, 


Eze. 3:1, 2. 


Then opened he their understand- 
ing that they might understand the 
scriptures, Luke 24:45. 


John 6 : 48-51. 


OF THE SEER OF PATMOS. 





In 1844 the antitypical work of the day of 
atonement was begun in the heavenly sanctuary. 
That is, Christ at that time passed within the 
veil, to make up the subjects of His kingdom 
from those who had accepted of the Divine Offer- 
ing. The investigative judgment was opened, 
and in the first case decided before the throne, 
the work of finishing the Gospel was begun, 
which will be completed when the last name has 
passed the heavenly court. These events were 
veiled by the cloud between 1840 and 1844, 
that men’s hearts might be tested. This period 
was a testing time, and when it passed, many 
were shaken out. The sixth and seventh verses 
of the tenth chapter of Revelation are parallel 
with the sixth and seventh verses of the four- 
teenth chapter. 

With joy the advent message that time should 
be no more went to the world. It was preached 
to high and low, and the churches throughout 
the world opened their doors to receive it. But 
there came a voice from heaven saying, “Go and 
take the little book which is open in the hand 
of the angel which standeth upon the sea and 
upon the earth.” The mighty angel did not close 
the open book when he had once cried, but still 
stood upon the earth and the sea with the pages 
open in his hand, and John, symbolizing God’s 
people, was bidden to take it out of the angel’s 
hand. John approached the angel with the 
words, ‘Give me the book,” and he said, “ Take 
it, and eat it up.” Eating the Word of God 
implies a careful study until the meaning is fully 
comprehended. Jesus often used the figure ina 
spiritual sense, referring to His body and the 
bread of life.” Now was the time to penetrate 


ok) VOICE*OR AS MIGHiiy-ANGEL: 


deeper into the cloud that overshadowed the mes- 
sage. As the time for what was supposed to be 
the second advent, but which in reality meant 
the beginning of the investigative judgment, drew 
near, there was a searching of the prophecies 
such as had never been before. Then, when the 
spring of 1844 came and passed, and no Saviour 
had appeared, there was not only heart search- 
ing, but deeper, more intense study of the 
Word. The delay could not at first be under- 
stood; but soon it was seen that the decree of 
Artaxerxes, in 457 B.c., from which the two 
thousand three hundred days were reckoned, did 
not take effect until the year was half gone. 
This extended the prophetic period from the 
spring to the autumn of 1844. The joy of 
those who longed to see their Lord increased. 
The message was, “It shall make thy belly 
bitter, but it shall be in thy mouth sweet as 
honey.” They had tasted the sweetness of the 
message. The world never before witnessed 
such manifestations of brotherly love, such sac- 
rifice and such devotion. The autumn of 1844 
came and went, and the intensity of the disap- 
pointment was beyond description. No earthly 
inducement ever seemed so sweet as the message 
of His coming; no disappointment was ever so 
bitter as that experienced by the believers in the 
second coming of Christ. The disciples, weep- 
ing at the tomb over a crucified Saviour, seemed 
to drain the cup of bitterness, but a potion no 
less galling was drunk by the disciples in 1844. 
“We thought that it was He that would save 
Israel,” was echoed eighteen hundred years 
later in the words, “‘ We looked for Him to save 
us, but He has not come.” In this period of 


189 


For the time is come that judg- 
ment must begin at the house of 
God: and if it first begin at us, 
what shall the end be of them that 
obey not the gospel of God? 

And if the righteous scarcely be 
saved, where shall the ungodly and 
the sinner appear? 

r Pet. 4:17, 18. 

Prov. 2:2-7. 

I sat not in the assembly of the 
mockers, nor rejoiced ; I sat alone 
because of thy hand; for thou hast 
filled me with indignation. 

Why is my pain perpetual, and 
my wound incurable, which refus- 
eth to be healed? wilt thou be alto- 
gether unto me as a liar, and as 
waters that fail? Jer. 15: 17,18. 

The decree of Artaxerxes. 

Ezra 7 : 11-26. 

This decree went into effect six 
months after it was issued. 

. Ezra 7 :9. 

Acts 2 : 44-47. 


And I took the little book out of 
the angel’s hand, and ate it up; 
and it wasin my mouth sweet as 
honey : and as soon as! had eaten 
it, my belly was bitter. 

Rev. 10:10. 


For ye had compassion of me in 
my bonds, and took joyfully the 
spoiling of your goods, knowing in 
yourselves that ye have in heavena 
better and an enduring substance. 

Heb, 10 :34-37- 


The Almighty hath dealt very bit- 
terly with me. Ruth x :20. 

2 Kings 14 : 26. 

Luke 24 :19-21. 


Like as a woman with child, that 
draweth near the time of her dcliv- 
ery, is in pain, and crieth out in her 
pangs; so have we been in thy 
sight, O Lord. 

We have been with child, we have 
been in pain, we have as it were 
brought forth wind; we have not 
wrought any deliverance in the 
earth ; neither have the inhabitants 
of the world fallen. 

Isa. 26:17, 18. 


190 SPOOKY 


While they went to buy, the 
bridegroom came; and they that 
were ready went in with him to the 
marriage : and the door was shut. 

Matt. 25 : 10. 


There follcwed another angel, 
saying, Babylon is fallen, is fallen, 
that great city, because she made all 
nations drink of the wine of the 
wrath of her fornication. 

Rev. 14:8. 


And he said unto me, Thou must 
prophesy again before many peo- 
ples, and nations, and tcngues, 
and kings. Rev. 10:11. 


Rev. 18:1. 


Therefore thus saith the Lord, If 
thou return, then will I bring thee 
again, and thou shalt stand before 
me: and if thou take forth the pre- 
cious from the vile, thou shalt be 
as my mouth : let them return unto 
thee; but retum not thou unto 
them. 

And I will make thee unto this 
people a fenced brazen wall: and 
they shall fight against thee, but 
they shall not prevail against thee : 
for I amwith thee to save thee and 
to deliver thee, saith the Lord. 

Jer. 15 319, 20. 


Isa. 57:18, 19. 


Hear the word of the Lord, ye 
that tremble at his word; Your 
brethren that hated you, that cast 
you out for my name’s sake, said, 
Let the Lord be glorified: but he 
shall appear to your joy, and they 
shall be ashamed. Isa. 66:5. 


Psa. 68 13. 


OF THE. SEER OF PATMOS: 





anguish and disappointment, the churches that 
had opened their doors for the message, now 
turned away from those who still clung to the 
belief in the prophecies and the second coming 
of the Lord. This closing of the doors, and the 
rejection of further light, caused the second 
message of Rev. 14:8 to be proclaimed. 

Many expected that those who passed through 
the disappointment, would forever sink out of 
sight, but the angel said, “Thou must prophesy 
again, before many peoples, and nations, and 
tongues, and kings.” This foretells the third 
message of Rev. 14:9—12, which will go to all 
the world, increasing as it goes, until it swells 
into a loud cry. 

Many peoples, the nations of earth, represent- 
atives from every tongue, rich and poor, even 
kings on their thrones, will hear this last mes- 
sage of mercy which goes to the earth in the 
beginning of the sounding of the seventh 
trumpet. The angel’s face was like the sun, 
and a rainbow was upon his head. The mes- 
sage is one of peace and joy, of mercy and 
triumph, which begins with the glory veiled, but 
increases in grandeur until what is begun on 
earth, mingles with the song of the redeemed 
on the other shore. As the people of God, by 
faith followed their Lord into the heavenly 
sanctuary, the bitter disappointment passed, 
and they realized that ‘Though ye have lien 
among the pots, yet shall ye be as the wings of 
a dove covered with silver, and her feathers 
with yellow gold.” 





CHAPTER UXIL 


THE THIRD WOE. 


Tue record contained in the three preceding 
chapters is the world’s history from the stand 
point which could be best presented to the 
human. mind by the symbol of the trumpet. 
The eighth chapter portrays the fall of the 
Western Roman Empire. The prophet, in the 
ninth chapter, follows events which occurred in 
connection with the downfall of the Greek Em- 
pire and the setting up: of the Ottoman power, 
clearly portraying the four periods in Turkish 
history: first, its rise; second, the one hundred 
and fifty years, during which time its power was 
restricted ; third, the three hundred and ninety- 
one years and fifteen days of supreme rule; 
fourth, its existence by sufferance, until driven 
from Europe. The tenth chapter of Revelation 
gives the loud cry of the first angel’s message, 
which was proclaimed by believers in God just 
at the time of the ending of the second woe. It 
foretells also the greater work to follow in the 
form of another message, which is given in detail 
in the fourteenth chapter of the book of Reve- 


I saw the seven angels which 
stood before God ; and to them were 
given seven trumpets. 

: Rev. 8:2. 


FOUR PERIODS IN TURKISH 
HISTORY. 
ist. Rev. 921-4. 
and. Rev. 9: 5-10. 
3rd. Rev. 9:14, 15. 
4th. Dan. 11:45. 


Saying with a loud voice, Fear 
God, and give glory to him; for 
the hour of his judgment is come: 
and worship him that made heaven, 
and earth, and the sea, and the 
fountains of waters. Rev. 14:7. 

The third angel followed them, 
saying with a loud voice, If any 
man wership the beast and his 
image, and receive his mark in his 
forehead, or in his hand, 

The same shall drink of the wine 
of the wrath of God. 

Rev. 1429-13. 


I9I 


192 STORY 


The fourth kingdom shall be 
strong as iron: forasmuch as iron 
breaketh in pieces and subdueth all 
things; and as iron that breaketh 
all these, shall it break in pieces 
and bruise. 

And whereas thou sawest the feet 
and toes, part of potters’ clay, and 
part of iron, the kingdom shall be 
divided ; but there shall be in it of 

- the strength of the iron, forasmuch 
as thou sawest the iron mixed with 
miry clay. Dan. 2:40, 41. 


The ten horns out of this king- 
dom are ten kings that shall arise: 
and another shall rise after them ; 
and he shall be diverse from the 
first, and he shall subdue three 
kings. Dan. 7:24. 


I considered the horns, and, be- 
hold, there came up among them 
another little horn, before whom 
there were three of the first horns 
plucked up by the roots; and, be- 
hold, in this horn were eyes like 
the eyes of man, anda mouth speak- 
ing great things. Dan. 7:8. 


He opened the bottomless pit ; 
and there arose a smoke out of the 
pit, as the smoke of a great fur- 
nace ; and the sun and the air were 
darkened by reason of the smoke 
of the pit. Rev. 9:2. 


Having a form of godliness, but 
denying the power thereof: from 
such turn away. 2 Tim. 3:5. 


The earth helped the woman, 
and the earth opened her mouth, 
and swallowed up the flood which 
the dragon cast out of his mouth, 

Rev, 12: 16, 


OF THE SEER OF PATMOS. 





lation. The eleventh chapter, the one now be- 
fore us, goes back to the Western Empire, and 
shows what was going on in that part of the 
world during the time that the Turkish Empire 
was making history in the eastern division. 

The barbarians in 476 left Rome in a di- 
vided state. The ten tribes, namely, the Ostro- 
goths, the Lombards, the Heruli, the Vandals, 
the Visigoths, the Suevi, the Saxons, the Huns, 
the Burgundians, and the Franks, were by that 
time, or a few years later, settled within the 
borders of the Western Empire True, the 
Vandals, Heruli, and Ostrogoths were of short 
duration, having been, before the year 538, 
“plucked up” to make way for the enthroning 
of the ecclesiastical power, according to the 
prophetic history of Dan. 7:8. But from the 
other seven developed the nations of Europe 
which are in existence to-day. The smoke 
from the ‘bottomless pit” beclouded the 
eastern sky, and the consideration of the 
Eastern Empire necessitates a study of Moham- 
medanism instead of Christianity. The con- 
dition was different in the western division, 
that portion of Europe still claimed to be ruled 
by the precepts of Christ. Mohammedanism in 
its attempt to conquer the western nations met 
with a telling defeat in the eighth century, and 
never renewed the attempt. So the West stood 
before the world as the representative of the 
Christian religion. Here the principles of civil 
and religious liberty, to-day held dear, were born: 
and here, likewise, was committed to these nations, 
in a special manner, the everlasting Gospel, with - 
the commission to make it known to the world. 
God was preparing, from afar, for the spread of 
the last message to the world. 


THE THIRD WOE. 


To John was given a measuring reed, “and 
the angel stood, saying, Rise, and measure the 
temple of God, and the altar, and them that wor- 
ship therein.” Men have as many standards 
for measuring their fellow-beings as there are 
different individuals, but the one absolute rule 
by which men’s actions are measured for eter- 
nity, is an infinitely perfect and unvarying 
standard. It cannot be comprehended by the 
finite mind ; for it is infinite. ‘Let us hear the 
conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and 
keep His commandments: for this is the whole 
duty of man. For God shall bring every work 
into judgment, with every secret thing, whether 
it be good, or whether it be evil.” The “reed 
like unto a rod,” with which John was bidden to 
measure, was the commandments of God. With 
his angel guide, the prophet was shown the 
church of God and the world, and the wisdom 
of God was given to him that he might record 
the results of the measurements. God’s law is 
but an expression of His own character, and 
John’s mind was opened to an appreciation of 
the principles upon which the government of 
God is established. There was the temple 
where the Father sits enthroned, Himself the 
center of all law, all life, all love; His presence 
pervading all things, upholding all things, con- 
trolling all things. The temple was to be meas- 
ured, and when measured, it told the story of ab- 
solute love, the power of the Creator, who made 
.all beings to reflect His own perfection. Then 
John was to measure the altar. Here he saw the 
High Priest, with His censer, offering the pray- 
ers of His saints. Only the Infinite mind can 
grasp the breadth and length and depth and 


13 


193 


And there was given me a reed 
like unto a rod: and the angel 
stood, saying, Rise, and measure 
the temple of God, and the altar, 
and them that worship therein. 

Rev. 11:1. 


So speak ye, and so do, as they 
that shall be judged by the law of 
liberty. Jas. 2:12. 


Rom. 2 :12, 13. 


Because the carnal mind is enmity 
against God: for it is not subject 
to the law of God, neither indeed 
can be. Rom 8:7. 


I say unto you, That every idle 
word that men shall speak, they 
shall give account thereor in the 
day of judgment. 

For by thy words thou shalt be 
justified, and by thy words thou 
shalt be condemned. 

Matt. 12:36, 37. 


Judgment also will I lay. to the 
line, and righteousness to the plum- 
met: and the hail shall sweep away 
the refuge of lies, and the waters 
shall overflow the hiding place. 

Isa. 28:17. 


Wherefore the law is holy, and 
the commandment holy, and just, 
and good. Rom. 7:12. 

For we know that the law is 
spiritual: but I am carnal, scld 
under sin. 


Ye shall keep my sabbaths, and 
reverence my sanctuary: I am the 
Lord. 

Upholding all things by the word 
of his power. Heb. 1:3. 


Rom. 7.14. 


Lev. 19 230. 


Another angel came and stood at 
the altar, having a golden censer; 
and there was given unto him much 
incense, that he should offer it with 
the prayers of all saints upon the 
golden altar which was before the 
throne. Rey, 8:3 


Rom. 8:26, 27. 


194 STORY 


That Christ may dwell in your 
hearts by faith; that ye, being 
rooted and grounded in love, 

May be able to comprehend with 
all saints what is the breadth, and 
length, and depth and height ; 

And to know the love of Christ, 
which passeth knowledge, that ye 
might be filled with all the fulness 
of God. 

Now unto him that is able to do 
exceeding abundantly above all that 
we ask or think, according to the 
power that worketh in us. 

Eph. 3 : 17-20. 


For thou wast slain, and hast re- 
deemed us to God by thy b!s0d 
out of every kindred, and tongue, 
and people, and nation ; 

And hast made us unto our God 
kings and priests: and we shall 
reign ontheearth. Rev. 5:9, 10. 


Ye also, as lively stones, are built 
up a spiritual house, an holy priest- 
hood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, 
acceptable to God by Jesus Christ. 

1 Pet. 2:5. 


Thus he shewed me: and, be- 
hold, the Lord stood upon a wall 
made by a plumbline, with a plumb- 
line in his hand. 

And the Lord said unto me, 
Amos, whatseest thou? And I said, 
A plumbline. Then said the Lord, 
Behold, I will set a plumbline in the 
midst of my people Israel: I will 
not again pass by them any more. 

Amos 7:7, 8 


Isa. 61 : 10. 


When he had opened the third 
seal, I heard the third beast say, 
Come and see. And I beheld, and 
lo a black horse ; and he that sat 
on him had a pair of balances in his 
hand, Rev. 6:5. 


OF THE SEER OF PATMOS: 





height, and know the love of Christ which “ pass- 
eth knowledge”; but this theme will be man’s 
study throughout eternity, for when it is known, 
it reveals the fullness of God. Again it is infi- 
nite love. And as it is measured, it must be 
measured in every direction ; there is length and 
breadth and height and depth; and in it all, the 
measures read, Love! infinite, far-reaching love! 

The prophet was told to measure them that 
worship in the temple; for the creatures of His 
hand reflect His image, and are measured by the 
same standard. Angels worship in that temple, 
and they reflect the character of Him who is love. 
There were also men in that temple as worship- 
ers; saints, who, while still on earth, were by 
faith within the inner veil; and they too were 
measured by the same reed of His law. Not 
an outward measure of stature, nor an external 
weighing of motives, as viewed by the human 
eye, but character was the test, with the rule 
of heaven for a standard. The character which 
is rewarded with a place near the throne is not 
shallow, but deep; it is not narrow, but broad; 
and in length it must measure with the life of 
God. A long experience, a deep experience, a 
broad experience in divine things, even while 
living here on earth; this is the life which de 
velops a character that will stand the test of the 
“measuring reed.” 

Under the third seal was revealed a power 
on the earth which carried a pair of balances, to 
weigh the deeds of men. While a self-righteous 
standard was being erected on the earth, God 
was measuring according to the rule of heaven; 
and when character was measured by the divine 
rod, eternal life was often given to those, whq 


THE THIRD WOE. 


according to the balances in the hands of man, 
were accounted worthy of death. 

It would seem that the attention of the 
prophet was called to the measuring in the outer 
court, which the loosened seals had revealed 
to him; and he is told to leave out “the court 
which is without the temple, and measure it not ; 
for it is given unto the Gentiles,” those who 
know not God; and the holy city shall they 
tread under foot forty and two months. This 
locates the scene definitely in what was the 
Western Empire, for the same period of time 
is given by Daniel. In the seventh chapter of 
that prophecy, the power which plucked up the 
three barbarian tribes before referred to, “shall 
speak great words against the Most High, and 
shall wear out the saints of the Most High, and 
think to change times and laws: and they 
(times, laws, and saints) shall be given into his 
hand until a time and times and the dividing of 
time.” 

In prophecy one day stands for a year, and 
time is reckoned thirty days to the month. 
Forty-two months is equivalent to twelve hun- 
dred and sixty days of prophetic time, or twelve 
hundred and sixty years of literal time. The 
“time and times, and the dividing of time,” is the 
same period as the “forty and two months,” 
or twelve hundred and sixty years. The power 
which trod the people of God under foot for twelve 
hundred and sixty years was the papacy. This 
power was established in Rome in 538 A.D. on 
the ruins of the Western Empire, and continued 
until 1798 a.p. This was the period known as 
the Dark Ages for Europe. During this period 
the smoke of Mohammedanism hid the light of 


195 


I saw the souls of them that were 
beheaded for the witness of Jesus, 
and for the word of God, and which 
had not worshipped the beast, nei- 
ther his image, neither had received 
his mark upon their foreheads, or 
in their hands ; and they lived and 
reigned with Christ a thousand 
years. Rey. 20: 4. 


But the court which is without 
the temple leave out, and measure 
it not; for it is given unto the 
Gentiles: and the holy city shall 
they tread under foot forty and 
two months. Rev. 11:2. 


Dan. 7:25. 


Num, 14: 34. 


There was given unto hima mouth 
speaking great things and blasphe- 
mies ; and power was given unto 
him to continue forty and two 
months. Rev. 13:5. 


Dan. 12:7. 
Rev. 12:14. 


The woman fled intu the wilder- 
ness, where she hath a place pre- 
pared of God, that they should feed 
her there a thousand. two hundred 
Rev. 12:6. 


The dragon gave him his power, 
and his seat, and great authority. 
Rey. 13:2. 


and threescore days. 


Rev. 9:2, 3. 


196 STORY 


Let no man deceive you by any 
means : for that day shall not come, 
except there come a falling away 
first, and that man of sin be revealed, 
the son of perdition. 

2 Thess. 2 :3. 


Seemeth it a small thing unto 
you to have eaten up the good pas- 
ture, but ye must tread down with 
your feet the residue of your pas- 
tures? and to have drunk of the 
deep waters, but ye must foul the 
residue with your feet? 








OF THE SEER OF PATMOS. 


the sun in the East. Mohammedanism in the 
East, and the “man of sin” in the West, both 
brought darkness and despair. Mohammed- 
anism tormented men like the sting of a scor- 
pion; the “man of sin” held men’s minds in 
such subjection that they saw nothing above the 
exalted man on the throne. In the East, the 
Koran and a false prophet bore sway; in the 
West, precisely the same thraldom existed ; for 
— there was no Koran, the Word of God 
was suppressed just as ef- 
fectually. As Mohammed- 
anism substituted the sixth 
day of the week for the 
Sabbath, and accepted a 
false prophet instead of 
Christ, so the “man of 
“sin” thought to change 
~ the law of God, and at- 
tempted to change the 
times which were created 
by the Word of Jehovah, 
as surely as man himself 
was so created. In the 


At that very time God was measuring character by the law. 


And as for my flock, they eat 
that which ye have trodden with 
your feet ; and they drink that which 
ye have fouled with your feet. 

Eze. 34:18, 19.4 


Think to change times and laws : 
and they shall be given into his 
hand until a time and times and the 
dividing of time. Dan. 7:25. 


And! will give power unto my 
two witnesses, and they shall 
prophesy a thousand two hundred 
and threescore days, clothed in 
sackcloth. Rev. 11:3. 


East, the Koran wholly re- 
placed the Bible; in the West, God said, “1 will 
give power unto my two witnesses, that they 
shall prophesy a thousand two hundred and 
three-score days, clothed in sackcloth.” For 
twelve hundred and sixty years [days] the 
light of God was hidden as beneath a cover- 
ing of sackcloth. Men think that with the 
advanced knowledge of the twentieth century, 
human reason has outgrown the Word of 
God; but history proves, without the shadow 
of a doubt, that when the Word is replaced by 


THE THIRD WOE. 


the products of man’s mind, both moral and in- 
tellectual darkness are brought upon the world. 
In this darkness the balances were held by 
‘those who believed that man was above God, 
that reason was the ultimate standard for judg- 
ment ; but at that very time God was measuring 
character by the measuring reed of heaven,— 
the law which man in his blindness had set 
aside. 

The “two witnesses” are the Old and the 
New Testaments. In the mouth of two witnesses 
every word is established. The Old Testament 
told of the God, who strove to live in man; the 
New Testament told of the God, who had lived 
in the human form, and the two agree. The 
same mystery is revealed to each individual 
heart in the providences of God. Christ, the 
God-man, sat on the curbing of Jacob’s well at 
the hour of noon, when the Samaritan woman 
came to draw water. Likewise the Divine Spirit 
drew the woman of Samaria to the well at the 
very hour when the Son of man was there. 
These two witnesses agree. They agree in lives 
to-day. When the spiritual eye is opened, the 
testimony of the two witnesses will be accepted. 

For they are the “two olive branches which 
through the two golden pipes empty the golden 
oil out of themselves.” By the prophet Zech- 
ariah, the church is represented as a golden 
candlestick having seven branches, each bearing 
aloft a light for the world: These seven 
branches receive their oil from a single bowl, 
and the oil for this bowl is supplied by two 
olive trees, one on either side. The purity of 
the oil they burn is represented by the close 
connection with living, growing trees. This oil 


. 


197 


Making the word of God of ncne 
effect through your tradition, which 
ye have delivered: and many such 
like things do ye. Mark 7:13. 

Her priests have violated my law, 
and have profaned mine holy things : 
they have put no difference be- 
tween the holy and profane, neither 
have they shewed difference be- 
tween the unclean and the clean, 
and have hid their eyes from my 
sabbaths, and I am profaned among 
them. Eze, 22:26. 


These are the two olive trees, 
and the two candlesticks standing 
before the God of the earth. 

Rev. 11: 4. 


Zech. 432-6. 


When the fulness of the time was 
come, God sent forth his Son, made 
of a woman, made under the law. 

Gal. 4:4. 


Now Jacob’s well was there. 
Jesus therefore, being wearied with 
his journey, sat thus on the well: 
and it was about the sixth hour. 

There cometh a woman of Sama- 
ria to draw water: Jesus saith unto 
her, Give me to drink, 

John 4:6, 7. 


Zech, 4:12. 
Rev. 1:20. 


And said unto me, What seest 
thou? AndTI said, I have looked, 
and behold a candlestick all of 
gold, witha bowl upon the top of 
it, and his seven lamps thereon, 
and seven pipes.to the seven lamps, 
which are upon the top thereof : 

And two olive trees by it, one 
upon the right side of the bowl, and 
the other upon the left side thereof. 

Zech. 4:2, 3. 


It is the spirit that quickeneth ; 
the flesh profiteth nothing: the 
words that Ispeak unto you, they 
are spirit, and they are lite. 

John 6 :63. 


198 STORY 


I am the vine, ye are the branches : 
He that abideth in me, and I in 
him, the same bringeth forth much 
fruit: for severed from me ye can 
do nothing. 

John 15:5 [margin.] 


The foolish said unto the wise, 
Give us of your oil; for our lamps 


are gone out, Matt. 25:8. 


And if any man will hurt them, 
fire proceedeth out of their mouth, 
and devoureth their enemies: and 
if any man will hurt them, he must 
in this manner be killed. 

These have power to shut heaven, 
that it rain not in the days of 
their prophecy: and have power 
over waters to turn them to blood, 
and to smite the earth with all 
plagues, as often as they will. 

Rev. 11: 6, 6. 


So shall my word be that goeth 
forth out of my mouth: it shall not 
retum unto me void, but it shall 
accomplish that which I please, and 
it shall prosper in the thing whereto 
I sent.it. Isa. 55:11. 


Jas. 5:17. 
The emptiers have emptied them 
out, and marred their vine branches. 
Nahum 2 :2. 


I saw the woman drunken with 
the Llood of the saints, and with 
the blood of the martyrs of Jesus : 
and when I saw her, I wondered 
with great admiration. 

Rev. 17:6. 





OF THE SEER OF PATMOS: 


is the oil of grace, the truth of God. The unity 
of the seven candlesticks is typified by the com- 
mon bowl from which each gains its supply of 
oil. How beautiful a picture of the work of 
God’s Word in ministering to the needs of the 
church on earth. Life flows from the Old as 
well as the New Testament to those whose 
hearts are open channels for the Spirit. When 
connection with. the living trees is severed, | 
spiritual death is the result. The lights may 

burn for a time, but they soon exhaust the sup- 
ply in the bowl, and gradually the flame dies 
out. Extinguishing a light does not affect the 
olive trees. Indeed they are trees of life, 
guarded by flaming swords, like the tree of life 
in the garden of Eden after the fall; and the 
flashes of light destroy the life of those who lift 
a hand against the witnesses. Men may claim 
to receive light, independently of these witnesses; 
but there are no channels for the communication 
of the spirit of wisdom and knowledge, except 
these two trees, or some of their branches, 
through which the life, the golden oil, is con- 
stantly flowing. It is thus that they have power 
to stay the heavens that it rain not. It is for 
this reason that the three and a half years of 
drought in the days of Elijah are used by the 
divine historian to illustrate the three and one- 
half prophetic years, the twelve hundred and 
sixty years of darkness, brought about by sever- 
ing the connection between the church and the 
two witnesses. When the connection was bro- 
ken the restraining power of God was withdrawn; 
and as in the natural world, so in the spiritual, 
there was nothing to prevent bloodshed, famine, 
and persecution, The time of great persecution 


THE THIRD WOE. 


was the period during which the witnesses 
prophesied covered with sackcloth. The Refor- 
mation removed the sackcloth from the two 
witnesses. From the close of the fourteenth 
century, when Wycliffe’s translation placed the 
Word of God in the hands of the common peo- 
ple of England, until the full dawn of the Refor- 
mation, the restraint which had long been placed 
upon the Scriptures was gradually removed. 
The light was spread largely through the 
schools. In Germany, the University of Wit- 
tenberg made the study of the Word its most 
prominent feature, and at the educational centers 
in England, Germany, and France the heralds 
of truth received their inspiration and their 
training. In the preparation of laborers, the 
Scriptures formed the basis of all instruction ; 
and as the classics and false sciences of the 
Dark Ages gave way to the Bible as a textbook, 
so the formal, lifeless methods of theological 
instruction were exchanged for teaching which 
fed the souls of the students. The remarkable 
swiftness with which society was remolded when 
the Word of God was restored is witnessed 
to by all historians. The historian, Ranke, 
states that in the short period of forty years the 
darkness had been broken from the Baltic to the 
Mediterranean, and Germany sat at the feet of 
Protestant teachers. Error trembled before a 
few teachers armed with the invincible Word of 
God. At this juncture the speedy overthrow of 
the false system was prevented by a counter 
educational movement. The organization of the 
order of Jesuits, in reality a papacy of the 
papacy, sent into the world a body of active 
workers, shrewd, well educated, and armed with 


199 


For now will I break his yoke 
from off thee, and will burst thy 
bonds in sunder. Nahum x :13. 


Thou through thy commandments 
hast made me wiser than mine ene- 
mies ; for they are ever with me. 

I have more understanding than 
all my teachers ; for thy testimonies 
are my meditation. 

I understand more than the an- 
cients, because I keep thy precepts. 

Psa. 119 : 98-100, 


Many of them also which used 
curious arts brought their books to- 
gether, and burned them before all 
men: and they counted the price of 
them, and found it fifty thousand 
pieces of silver. 

So mightily grew the word of God 
and prevailed. Acts. 19:19, 20. 


Keep therefore and do them ; for 
this is your wisdom and your under- 
standing in the sight of the nations, 
which shall hear all these statutes, 
and say; Surely this great nation is 
a wise and understanding people. 

For what nation is there so great, 
who hath God so nigh unto them, 
as the Lord our God is in all things 
that we call upon him for? 

Deut. 4 :6-8. 


For such are false apostles, de- 
ceitful workers, transforming them- 
selves into the apostles of Christ. 

And no marvel; for Satan him- 
self is transformed into an angel of 
light, x 

Therefore it is no great thing if 
his ministers also be transformed as 
the ministers of righteousness ; 
whose end shall be according to 
their works. 2 Cor. 11 313-15. 


Unto the pure all things are pure: 
but unto them that arc defiled and 
unbelieving is nothing pure; but 
even their mind and conscience is 
defiled, — Titus 1:15. 


200 STORY 


Ye compass sea and land to make 
one proselyte, and when he is 
made, ye make him twofold more 
the child of hell than yourselves. 

Matt. 23 : 13-15. 


Whose moutiis must be stopped, 
who subvert whole houses, teach- 
ing things which they ought not, for 
filthy lucre’s sake. Titus 1:11. 


Avoiding profane and vain bab- 
blings, and oppositions of science 
falsely so called : 

Which some professing have erred 
concerning the faith. 

1 Tim, 6:20, 21. 


If any man teach otherwise, and 
consent not to wholesome words, 
even the words of our Lord Jesus 
Christ, and to the doctrine which is 
according to godliness ; 

He is proud, knowing nothing, 
but doting about questions and 
strifes of words, whereof cometh 
envy, strife, railings, evil surmis- 
ings, , 

Perverse disputings of men of cor- 
rupt minds, and destitute of the 
truth, supposing that gain is godli- 
ness: from such withcraw thyself, 

1 Tim, 6: 3-5. 


And when they shall have fin- 
ished their testimony, the beast 
that ascendeth out of the bottom- 
fess pit shall make war against 
them. and shall overcome them, 
and will them Rev. 11:7. 


OF THE SEER OF PATMOS. 


a double-faced conscience, which enabled them 
to penetrate anywhere and assume any role. 
One of their most efficient methods of procedure 
was in the schools. They founded new schools 
in the very shadow of the Protestant institutions, 
and drew from their patronage; or when this 
was impossible, they entered Protestant schools 
under the guise of Protestant teachers. Every- 
where they gained the children and the youth. 
They were more zealous, more ambitious than 
the Protestants, consequently the succeeding 
generation surprised the Reformers by turning a 
large part of Europe back under papal control. 
Their work was most fully developed in France. 
That country had received the light of the Ref- 
ormation, but on this ground the Jesuits found 
excellent material. The universities of France 
clung to their old methods, and they likewise 
clung to the subjects taught during the Dark 
Ages. Under the forms and ceremonies of 
Medizvalism, pa~al principles of government 
lurked, ready to spring into active service at the 
first opportunity. The renewal of these teach- 
ings wrought the same effect in the sixteenth 
century that the false teachings of the Alexan- 
drian philosophers did in the church of the early 
Christians. 

One cannot condemn the Jesuit teaching as 
wholly evil. It was as subtile a mixture of the 
good and evil as the devil ever compounded. It 
was when the two witnesses were escaping from 
the bondage of the Dark Ages, where they had 
finished their testimony in sackcloth, that the 
beast, which ascended out of the bottomless pit, 
made war against them and overcame them, and 
killed them. 





; 


THE THIRD WOE. 


The Counter-Reformation, known as such by 
all historians, was felt throughout Europe ; but 
France was unfortunate enough to have sown an 
abundance of seed, and consequently reaped a 
bountiful harvest. France is the only nation that 
ever openly denied the existence of the Deity, 
and set up a worship recognizing no other ruler 
than the “‘Goddess of Reason.” A woman, a 
profligate opera singer, was set up in Paris as a 
personification of reason, the god which France 
acknowledged. No other government ever 
made so base a movement. Men and women 
danced and sang in honor of the base idolatry. 
Other parts of France imitated the example set 
by Paris. The woman, veiled and worshiped 
in form, was but a type of what men will do 
when reason is enthroned above God. The de- 
cree prohibiting the Bible, changing the week, 
and establishing the worship of the “‘ Goddess of 
Reason,” was issued in 1793. For three years 
and a half, the two witnesses,—the two olive 
trees, which alone bring life to man or nation,— 
lay dead in the streets of Paris. The licentious- 
ness of Sodom in the days of Lot, was repeated 
in France, especially in her capital The gross 
idolatry of Egypt, with its proverbial darkness, 
was to be found again in modern France. As 
the Jews, by rejecting the Word of God sent by 
the prophets, severed their connection with 

- heaven and crucified their Lord, so France re- 
peated the sin, and crucified again the Son of 
God. 

The Reign of Terror had established itself in 
France. Whoever was suspected of hostility 
toward the tyranny, was immediately hurried to 
the scaffold; to be lukewarm was no protection. 


201 


For they have sown the wind, and 


they shall reap the whirlwind- 


Hosea 8:7. 


Neither shall he regard the God 
of his fathers, nor the desire of 
women, nor regard any god : for he 
shall magnify himself above all. 

But in his estate shall he honour 
the God of forces: anda god whom 
his fathers knew not shall he hon- 
our with gold, and silver, and with 
precious stones, and pleasant things. 

Dan. 11:37, 38. 


Hear, O earth: behold, I will 
bring evil upon this people, even 
the fruit of their thoughts, because 
they have not hearkened unto my 
words, nor to my law, but rejected it. 

Jer. 6: 19. 


And their dead bodies shall lie 
in the street of the great city, 
which spiritually is called Sodom 
and Egypt, where also our Lord 
was crucified. Rev. 11:8. 


Gen. 1924-11. 


They crucify to themselves the 
Son of God afresh, and put him to 
an open shame. Heb. 6:6. 


The wise men are ashamed, they 
are dismayed and taken: lo, they 
have rejected the word of the Lord ; 
and what wisdom is in them? 

Therefore will I give their wives 
unto others, and their fields to them 
that shall inherit them: for every 
one from the least even unto the 
greatest is given to covetousness, 
from the prophet even unto the 
priest every one dealeth faisely. 

Jer. 8:9, 10. 


202 


Samaria shall become desolate ; 
for she hath rebelled against her 
God: they shall fall by the sword : 
their infants shall be dashed in 
pieces, and their women with child 
shall be ripped up. Hos. 13:16. 


Lam. 4:12. 


And they of the people and kin- 
dreds and tongues and nations 
shall see their dead bodies three 
days and an half, and shall not 
suffer their dead bodies to be put 
in graves. 

And they that dwell upon the 
earth shall rejoice over them, and 
make merry, and shall send gifts 


Before all nations the Scriptures have 
since been exalted. 


one to another ; because these two 
prophets tormented them that 
dwelt on the earth, 

And after three days and an half 
the spirit of life from God entered 
into them, and they stood upon 
their feet; and great fear feil 
upon them which saw them. 

And they heard a great voice 
from heaven saying unto them, 


STORY OF THE SEER OF PATMOS. 








Old age and youth alike suffered. Wild license 
was given to divorce and to profligacy. ‘ There 
were seen, even in the hall of the convention, 
throngs of coarse and fierce men, and coarser 
and fiercer women with their songs and wild 
outcries and gestures.” ‘Crowds escorted the 
batch of victims carried on carts each day to the 
place of execution, and insulted them with their 
brutal shouts.” Men of other nations looked on 
in utter astonishment. The worship of reason 
was abolished, and the convention passed a 
resolution acknowledging the existence 
of God, but denouncing Christianity as 
a base superstition. Thus the Reign 
of Terror went on. “The deaths from 
want,’ says one historian, “much ex- 
ceeded a million. France was on the 
brink of a great famine on the Asiatic 
scale.” But men grew weary of blood- 
shed, and “great fear fell upon them 
which saw” these things. The God of 
heaven called a halt. Nations of the 
earth had seen the consequences of 
rejecting the Word of Jehovah ; they had 
had before them, in the Reign of Terror, 
a most terrible example of the rejection 
of the principles of the Reformation. 
The Spirit of God was again recog- 
nized as residing in the “two witnesses,” 
and before all nations the Scriptures have since 
been exalted. Thosenations, which adhered most 
closely to the truths developed in the withdrawal 
from Roman tyranny, have taken the lead in the 
work of education, in invention, in judiciary 
matters, and in all lines of progress. Copies of 
the Word of God have been multiplied until the 


THE THD wor. 


poorest are without excuse, if they remain un- 
supplied. Before the terrors in France, little 
attention was given to foreign missions; but in 
1804 the British Bible Society was organized. 
Thirteen years later, the American Bible Society 
came into existence, and millions of copies of 
the Word have been printed. Its translation 
into hundreds of different languages has placed 
ignorance of the Scriptures entirely out of the 
question. 

The restoration of the Christian religion in 
France, marked the beginning of its modern 
history. The Revolution of 1798 is spoken of 
as “a great earthquake,” in which the “tenth 
part of the city fell.” The “beast” received its 
deadly wound. Not only was the reign of papal 
tyranny at an end, but the power of the mon- 
archy was shaken ; and the vast army of nobles, 
which some historians give as seven thousand, 
lost their titles. The government was in the 
hands of the middle classes, or the common 
people. The exaltation of the Scriptures is 
always followed by a government which recog- 
nizes the equal rights of all men, and by a 
religion which grants the privilege to every man 
to worship according to the dictates of his own 
conscience. Men who advocate a system of 
government: that rejects the atoning blood of 
Christ, or an educational system which exalts 
reason above faith, place themselves on the very 
verge of a precipice, and the next step will pro- 
duce a repetition of the Terrors of France. 
The blindness with which men repeat the ex- 
periences of the past is amazing. The Jesuits 
may not be responsible to-day for the trend 
which many public institutions are taking, but, 


203 


Come up hither. And they as- 

cended up to heaven in a cloud; 

and their enemies beheld them. 
Rev, 17: 9-12, 


When wisdom entereth into thine 
heart, and knowledge is pleasant 
unto thy soul ; 

Discretion shall preserve thee, 
understanding shall keep thee : 

To deliver thee from the way of 
the evil man, from the man that 
speaketh froward things. 

Prov. 2 : 10-12. 


The entrance of thy words giveth 
light ; it giveth understanding unto 


the simple. Psa. 119: 130. 


And the same hour was there a 
great earthquake, and the tenth 
part of the city fell, and in the 
earthquake were slain of men 
seven thousand : and the remnant 
were affrighted, and gave glory to 
the God of heaven. Rev. 11:73. 


But there is a spirit in man: and 
the inspiration of the Almighty giv- 
eth them understanding. 

Great men are not always wise: 
neither do the aged understand judg- 
ment, Job 32:8, 9. 


That which hath been is now ; 
and that which is to be hath already 
been ; and God requireth that which 
is past. Seebicclagi ses 


She is empty, and void, and waste : 
and the heart melteth, and the knees 
smite together, and much pain is in 
all loins, and the faces of them all 
gather blackness. Nahum 2:10. 


As they were increased, so they 
sinned against me: therefore will I 
change their glory into shame. 

Hosea 4:7. 


The Pharisees and lawyers re- 
jected the counsel of God against 
themselves, being not baptized of 
him, Luke 7 :30. 


204 STORY 


Know ye not that a little leaven 
leaveneth the whole lump? 
Purge out therefore the old 
leaven, that ye may be a new lump. 
x Cor. 5 :6, 7. 


Give ear, O ye heavens, and I will 
speak ; and hear, O earth, the words 
of my mouth, Deut. 32:1. 


The second woe is past; and, 
behold, the third woe cometh 
quickly. Rev. 11:14. 


There was given him dominion, 
and glory, and a kingdom, that all 
people, nations, and languages, 
should serve him: his dominion is 
an everlasting dominion, which shall 
not pass away, and his kingdom that 
which shall not be destroyed. 

“ Dan 7 14. 


And the seventh angel sounded ; 
and there were great voices in 
heaven, saying, The kingdoms of 
this world are become the king- 
doms of our Lord, and of his 
Christ ; and he shall reign for ever 
and ever. Rev, 11:16. 





OF THE SEER OF PATMOS. 


without doubt, the methods the Jesuits used, 
are repeated in the twentieth century. Edu- 
cation which leaves out God, is putting the 
government into the hands of statesmen who 
will eventually exalt the Goddess of Reason. — 
The second woe, as already seen, ended in 
1840. The close was marked by the transfer of 
Turkish power into the hands of the western 
nations. In heaven is witnessed the sending 
forth of the mighty angel of Rev. 10:1-I1. 
The earth responded to his loud cry, and men, - 
thinking that time was about to close, prepared 
to meet their God. But the seventh angel had 
not yet sounded. He was held in heaven for a 
little space, that men might be prepared for the 
events about to come in connection with the 
completion of the earth’s history. ‘The second 
woe is past; and behold, the third woe cometh 
quickly.” The little period between 1840 and 
1844, during which the message of Rev. 
10:I-11 was delivered, was the time between 
the close of the sixth trumpet and the sounding 
of the seventh. In the tenth chapter of Revela- 
tion John was told that “in the days of the 
voice of the seventh angel, when he shall begin 
to sound, the mystery of God should be finished.” 
When the seventh angel “begins to sound,” in 
the first part of the period of time set apart for 
his work, the mystery of God would be finished. 
« And the seventh angel sounded ; and there were 
great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of 
this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord 
and of His Christ; and He shall reign forever 
and ever.” .A kingdom can never be truly said 
to pass into the hands of another power, while 
either the territory, the capital, or the subjects, 


THE, THIRD. WOE. 


are beyond its control. It takes the three: sub- 
jects, capital, and territory, to make the full 
kingdom. The work of the investigative judg- 
ment, is Christ making up the number of the 
subjects, or in-other words, taking one-third 
part of His kingdom; when the judgment is 
ended, then is given to Him the Holy City, the 
capital of the kingdom,—the second third part. 
When He comes to the earth, He takes posses- 
sion of the territory, and possesses the kingdom 
in all its fullness forever. The enrollment for 
the new kingdom is made by Christ in the 
presence of the Father, while angels are watch- 
ing. The books are open, the judgment begins; 
the measuring reed is applied to character. 
Christ offers the prayers of all His saints,— 
those whose names are written in the book of 
life,—together with the fragrant incense of His 
own righteous life; in this way the heirs of the 
kingdom are enrolled. 

Again the prophet sees the work completed ; 
and the four and twenty elders, who have long 
waited for the redemption of their fellow beings, 
fall before the throne, and worship Him who is 
crowned King of Kings. These are the beings 
who, with the host of the redeemed, will finally 
have the renewed earth for their home. A part 
of their song before the Father is, “Thou hast 
made us unto our God kings and priests, and we 
shall reign on the earth,’ showing that in the 


midst of heavenly glory, they yet look forward 


to the restoration of the earth at the end of the 
thousand years, during which time, the cases of 
the wicked are tried. 

In 1844 the third woe began. It extends 
into eternity, covering all the corruption of the 


205 


Come hither, I will shew thee the 
bride, the Lamb’s wife. 

And he carried me away in the 
spirit to a great and high mountain, 
and shewed me that great city, the 
holy Jerusalem, descending out of 
heaven from God. 

Rev. 21:9, 10. 


~ As therefore the tares are gath- 
ered and bummed in the fire ; soshall 
it be in the end of this world. 

The Son of man shall send forth 
his angels, and they shall gather 
out of his kingdom all things that 
offend, and them which do iniquity. 

Matt. 13 : 40, 41. 


Rev. 3:5. 

Luke g : 26. 

Help those women which la- 
boured with me in the gospel, with 
Clement also, and with other my 
fellowlabourers, whose names are 
in the book of life. Phil. 4:3. 


Esatrastzs 


And the four and twenty elders, 
which sat before God on their 
seats, fell upon their faces, and 
worshipped God, 

Saying, We give thee thanks, O 
Lord God Almighty, which art, and 
wast, and art to -9me; because 
thou hast taken to thee thy great 
power, and hast reigned. 

And the nations were angry, and 
thy wrath is come, and the time of 
the dead, that they should be 
judged, and that thou shouldest 
give reward unto thy servants the 
prophets, and to the saints, and 
them that fear thy name, smail 
and great; and shouldest destrou 
them which destroy the earth, 

Rev. 11: 16-78. 


Now go, write it before them ina - 
table, and note it in a book, that it 
may be for the time to come for 
ever and ever : 

That this is a rebellious people, 
lying children, children that will 
not hear the law of the Lord : 


Which say to the seers, See not; 
and to the prophets, Prophesy not 
unto us right things, speak unto us 
smooth things, prophesy deccits. 

Isa. 30 : 8-10. 


206 STORY 


For I am with thee, saith the 
Lord, to save thee: though I make 
a full end of all nations whither I 
have scattered thee, yet will I not 
make a full end of thee: but I will 
correct thee in measure, and will 
not leave thee altogether unpun- 
ished. Jer. 30:7, 1% 


Rev. 20:9, 10. 


. Ye shall tread down the wicked ; 
for they shall be ashes under the 
soles of your feet in the day that I 
shall do this, saith the Lord of 
hosts. Mal. 4 :1-3. 


And the temple of God was 
opened in heaven, and there was 
seen in his temple the ark of his 
testament: and there were light- 
nings, and voices, and thunderings, 
and an earthquake, and great hail. 

Rev. 11:19, 


He said unto me, Unto two thou- 
sand and three hundred days ; then 
shall the sanctuary be cleansed. 

- Dan. 8414. 


Prove all things ; hold fast that 
which is good. 2 Thess. 5:21. 


If thou turn away thy foot from 
the sabbath, from doing thy pleas- 
ure on my holy day; and call the 
sabbath a delight, the holy of the 
Lord, honourable ; and shalt hon- 
our him, not doing thine own ways, 
nor finding thine own pleasure, nor 
speaking thine own words : 

Then shalt thou delight thyself in 
the Lord. Isa. 58:13 314. 


OF THE SEER OF PATMOS. ~ 





last days,—the anger or distress among nations, 
which was one sign of the second advent, as 
given by the Saviour. During the sounding of 
the seventh trumpet, the seven last plagues are 
poured out ; men, having rejected God, drink of 
the wine of His wrath. During this sounding, 
the righteous and wicked pass through the last 
great time of trouble, in comparison with which 
the Reign of Terror in France was a light afflic- 
tion. During this woe, the saints of God wel- 
come the Lord in the clouds of heaven, for He 
comes to give reward unto the faithful. This 
period continues over the one thousand years 
following the second coming of Christ, and ends 
when Satan and all the wicked are reduced to 
ashes upon the surface of the new earth, and 
all sorrow and sin are forever vanquished. 

As foretold in the Scriptures, the ministra- 
tion of Christ in the most holy place began at 
the termination of the prophetic days in 1844. 
The words of the revelator apply to this time. 
«The temple of God was opened in heaven, and 
there was seen in His temple the ark of His 
testament.’ At the beginning of the work of 
the investigative judgment, when Christ entered 
the most holy place, the door in heaven was 
opened, and the law of God was seen as the 
foundation of His throne. It was immediately 
after the bitter disappointment of 1844, when 
earnest souls were still searching the Scriptures, 
that the sacredness of the law was revealed. 
As the decalogue was presented, a special glory 
shone about the Fourth Commandment. The 
seal of the law stood out as if written in letters 
of fire, and a new significance was given to the 
measuring reed which the angel offered. The 


THE THIRD WOE. 





Ghou shalt have no other before me. 


_ . 7 
ee Ghou shalt not make unta thee any graven im- 


age.or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above 
or that is mthe earth beneath, or that isin the wafer un- 
der the earth; thou shalt not bow down thyself tathem, 
nor serve them-for | the Lord thy Budama jealous God, 
visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto 
the third and fourth generationof them that hate me; and 
owing mercy unto ihousands of them that love me, 
_and keep my Commandments. 


- iit. 
: Chou shalt not take fhe name. of the ord ~ 

_ thy Godin vain, for the Lord will not hold him guiltless 
that taketh his mame in vain. 


ir. 
Ri aer the Sonatina Sadcer chy Bix 
di halt th bour ill . Jn 
cath dau isthe Sobbalfvot thelord thu Godan tinea 


2 
shalt notdeany work,thou.northy soo, nor thy sani 
e.nor 


hy 


thy manservani.nor thy maid-servant nor thy caif! 
stranger that is within thu gates: for in six daus the 
Aeord made heaven and earth,the sea, andall that in 
them is, and rested the seventh dau; wherefore the 
lard blessed the Sabbath day and hallawed it. 


Honor thu father and thy mother that ihu daus 
may be longupon the land which the ord thu God gweth thee. 


Gheu shalt not kill. 
Ww 
Chou shalt nol commit adulteru. 


VE 
Ghou shalt rot steal. 


z ~ im 
-___Ghou shalt not bear false wilness a- 
gainst ee neighbor. = x. ; 
Ghau shalt not covet thy neighbor's 
housc, thou shalt nat covet thy neighbor's wile, nor 
) his man-servantnortis maidservant.nor his ox,nor 
) his ass.nor anu fling thet ts thy neighbor's. 


AY, 


aes 


. Bein 
7", sata Ate ie 


yey 
ig a 
Lt 


Dive" 
AS 
‘ZB 





a: 
4 
-*: 


me 
a ee: 


207 


208 


Lev. 26:2. 


I saw another angel ascending 
from the east, having the seal of the 
living God. Rev. 7:2. 


I heard the number of them which 
were sealed: and there were sealed 
an hundred and forty and four thou- 
sand of all the tribes of the children 
of Israel. Rev. 7-4. 


The heavens shall declare his 
righteousness: for God is judge 
himself. Psa. 50:6, 

My tongue shall speak of thy 
word: for all thy commandments 
are righteousness. Psa. 119 : 172. 


For the Lord himself shall de- 
scend from heaven with a shout, 
with the voice of the archangel, and 
with the trump of God: and the 
dead in Christ shall rise first : 

Then we which are alive and re- 
main shall be caught up together 
with them in the clouds, to meet 
the Lord in the air: and so shall 
we ever be with the Lord. 

; 1 Thess. 4:16, 17. 

What do ye imagine against the 
Lord? he will make an utter end: 
affliction shall not rise up the sec- 
ond time, Nahum 1:9. 


STORY OF THE SEER OF PATMOS. 


fuller significance of the trampling under foot of 





the law, and of the thinking to change the times _ 


and laws of Jehovah by an earthly power, filled 
the people of God with reverential awe; and 
again the two witnesses were exalted to heaven. 
The sealing work began at this very time, and 
those who were looking heavenward, saw the 
light streaming from that open door. Upon 
those to whom these rays are shining, the 
sealing angel places the mark of God. This 
sealed company make up the one hundred and 
forty-four thousand, who are a part of the host 
for whom the “four and twenty elders” are now 
waiting. 

As the proclamation is made in heaven that 
the work is over, the commandments are again 
seen; this time written on the clouds of the sky 
in the eyes of all men,—a sign of the near 
approach of Christ. 

Under the sounding of the seventh trumpet 
are the thunderings, lightnings, voices, earth- 
quake, and hail, which will shake the very 
foundations of the earth. With the close of the 
third woe, the earth is freed forever from the 
least taint of sorrow and sin. The Lord has 
pledged His word that affliction shall not rise 
up the second time, but joy and peace will reign 
forever in the redeemed earth, 





CHAPTER XIII. 


THE GREAT CONTROVERSY. 


Tue salvation of souls is the end of an 
infinite plan. The object of all creation was 
the pleasure of God, and enjoyment comes to 
Jehovah when He sees the harmonious working 
of all the laws of the universe. Through the 
prophets, God has, from time to time, made 
known as much of the plan as the human mind 
could grasp. Each generation has received new 
revealing of that infinite plan of salvation. At 
each new manifestation, angels have exclaimed 
in wonder, and bowed in adoration before the 
throne; for it was the opening to their view of 
a new phase of the divine character. Beginning 


14 


Eze. 18 123, 31, 32. 


Thou hast created all things, and 
for thy pleasure they are and were 
created. Rev. 4:11. 


Col. 1:15, 16. 


2 Pet. 1:20, 21. 


ANGELS BOWED IN ADORATION. 

ist. At the b rth of Christ. Luke 
2:9-14; Heb. 1:6. 

2nd. At the death of Christ. John 
12 :31-33 ; Rev. 12:10. 

3rd.- At the resurrection of Christ. 
Matt. 27: 51-53 ; Rom.8:29; Eph. 
4:8 [margin]; 1 Cor. 15:20. 

4th. When the seventh angel 
sounded. Rev. 11:15; Dan. 7:13. 


209 






For thus saith the high and lofty 
One that inhabiteth eternity, whose 
name is Holy ; I dwell in the high 
and holy place, with him also that 
is of a contrite and humble spirit, to 
revive the spirit of the humble, and 
to revive the heart of the contrite 
ones. Isa. 57215. 


1 Cor. 6:19, 20. 
Psa. 34:7. 
Psa. or: 11212, 


He dreamed, and behold a ladder 
set up on the earth, and the top of 
it reached to heaven: and behold 
the angels of God ascending and 
descending on it. Gen, 28:12, 


All that dwell upon the earth 
shall worship him, whose names 
are not written in the book of life 
of the Lamb slain from the founda- 
tion of the world. Rev. 13 :8. 

Gen. 3: 1-6. 

Matt. 12:7. 


Humble shepherds heard the angels singing at 
the birth of Christ. 





in Eden, God manifested His love 
in the relationship He sustained 
to the holy pair. The whole plan 
for peopling the earth with a race 
that could develop a spiritual na- 
ture like unto His own, was a 
revelation of His love. 

The interest of heaven was cen- 
tered upon humanity, and angels 
were commissioned to watch over 
them. This ministration of angels 
has linked heaven and earth by a 
tie which no power can sever. The enemy has 
offset each blessing of the Father by a hellish 
scheme ; hence while some accept the workings 
of the Spirit of God, there are others who yield to 
the influence of the contrary spirit; and the earth 
has become a great battlefield. Every offering, 
from the first one at the gate of the Garden of 
Eden to the time of Christ, shadowed forth the 
one great sacrifice of the Saviour. 

Many times, sin so blinded men’s eyes that 
the form of the ceremony hid from them the 
real object of the service. Through Egyptian 
bondage, wilderness wanderings, prosperity, and 
captivity, the one hope buoyed up the spirits of 
the children of God. Their spiritual eyesight 
searched the future, ever expecting the appear- 
ance of the long-promised seed of the woman, 





Sok 


THE GREAT CONTROVERSY. 


that would bruise the serpent’s head. True, 
they were often mistaken in their ideas of the 
Coming One; but in their individual need, they 
always pictured Him as their Deliverer. The 
self-righteous Jews, who had lost all the spiritual 
power in the sacrifices, while they multiplied 
forms, looked only for a mighty Prince who 
would deliver them from the Roman yoke. 
The prophecies concerning the meek and lowly 
One had no charm for them. These prophecies 
not only portrayed the character of the Messiah 
to come, but also revealed the time of His 
appearing. Satan is familiar with the Word of 
God, and trembles before its fulfillment. As 
the time drew near for the Son of man to 
appear, Satan used every art to absorb the 
children of men in the forms and ceremonies 
and sophistries of the world, in order that they 
might give no place for the lowly Jesus. But 
Satan was not permitted to bring confusion; for 
strange as it may seem, the whole world was at 
peace, when the Prince of Peace was born ina 
manger at Bethlehem. 

True, the race which claimed to follow God, 
had lost the power of the Spirit, and the sway of 
evil was nearly universal. The connecting link, 
however, was not wholly severed ; else the earth 
would have been destroyed, and neither Rome, 
with its boasted grandeur, nor Satan, with all 
his power, could have saved the wreck. Minis- 
tering at the altar in the temple in Jerusalem, 
was’ Zacharias, the priest. He and his wife 
Elizabeth prayed daily for the advent of the Son 
of God. Jehovah stopped to listen, and answered 
those prayers by giving to the aged priest and 
his wife a son, the forerunner of the Messiah. 


211 


I will put enmity between thee 
and the woman, and between thy 
seed and her seed; it sha!l bruise 
thy head, and thou shalt bruise his 


heel, Gen. 3:15. 


When they therefore were come 
together, they asked of him, saying, 
Lord, wilt thou at this time restore 
again the kingdom to Israel? 

Acts 1 36. 

Isa. 9: 6, 7. 

Dan. 9:25. 


There were in the same country 
shepherds abiding in the field, keep- 
ing watch over their flock by night. 

And, lo, the angel of the Lord 
came upon them, and the glory of 
the Lord shone round about them: 
and they were sore afraid. 

And the angel said unto them, 
Fear not: for, behold, I bring you 
good tidings of great joy, which 
shall be to all people. 

For unto youis born this day in 
the city of David a Saviour, which 
is Christ the Lord. 

Luke 2 : 8-12. 


1 Cor.1 : 26-29. 
r Pet. 3 :3-5. 
Rom. 3: 10-18. 


As Esaias said before, Except 
the Lord of Sabaoth had left us a 
seed, we had been as Sodoma, and 
been made like unto Gomorrha. 

Rom. g :29. 


There was in the days of Herod, 
the king of Judza, a certain priest 
named Zacharias, of the course of 
Abia: and his wife was of the 
daughters of Aaron, and her name 
was Elisabeth. 

And they were both righteous be- 
fore God, walking in all the com- 
mandments and ordinances of the 
Lord blameless. 

But the angel said unto him, 
Fear not, Zacharias : for thy prayer 
is heard; and thy wife Elisabeth 
shall, bear thee a son, and thou 
shalt call his name John. 

Luke 1:5, 6, 13, 17. 


212 


In the sixth month the angel Ga- 
briel was sent from God unto a city 
of Galilee, named Nazareth, 

To. virgin espoused to a man 
whose name was Joseph, of the 
house of David; and the virgin’s 
name was Mary. 

‘And the angel came in unto her, 
and said, Hail, thou that art highly 
favoured, the Lord is with thee: 
blessed art thou among women. 

And when she saw him, she was 
troubled at his saying, and cast in 
her mind what manner of salutation 
this should be. 

And the angel said unto her, Fear 
not, Mary: for thou hast found 


favour with God. 

And, behold, thou shalt conceive 
in thy womb, and bring forth a son, 
and shalt call his name JESUS. 

Luke 1 : 26-38. 





Wise men of the East recog= 
nized the star. 


He came by the Spirit into the 
temple: and when the parents 
brought in the child Jesus, to do 
for him after the custom of the law, 

Then took he him up in hisarms, 
and blessed God. Luke 2: 26-32, 


There was one Anna, a prophet- 
ess, the daughter of Phanuel, of 
the tribe of Aser: she was of a 
great age. 

And she coming in that instant 
gave thanks likewise unto the Lord, 
and spake of him to all them that 
looked for redemption in Jerusa- 
lem, Luke 2 : 36-38. 


STORY OF THE SEER OF PATMOS. 






In the town of Nazareth, noted for its wick- 
edness, lived a young woman. Daily her heart | 
was lifted to God, asking for the advent of the - 
promised Saviour. Again Jehovah’s ear was 
reached, and that prayer was answered. Gabriel 
came from the presence of God, and made 
known to Mary that she, a virgin in Israel, 
should become the mother of the Son of God. 
The spirituality of her life is shown in het 
response to the angel. Taking her God-given 
responsibility, with all the sorrow and shame it 
entailed, she said: “ Behold the handmaid of the — 
Lord.” Three had been found who were true 
to the God of Heaven. There were still others. 
Humble shepherds, tending their flocks, heard 
the angels singing at the birth of Christ; wise 
men of the East, searching the prophecies, 
recognized the star as a herald of the Saviour. 

On the day that the Babe was presented in 
the temple, Simeon, an aged man upon whom 
the Holy Ghost rested, and who saw with 
spiritual insight, recognized in the little One the 
Redeemer of men. And Anna, a prophetess, 
an aged widow, who lived in the temple, and 
who sought God day and night for the fulfill- 
ment of His promise, recognized divinity in the 
Babe, and giving thanks, “spake of Him to all 
them that looked for redemption in Jerusalem.” 
This increased the number who in deed and in 
truth were waiting for the Messiah. They, while 
the world was in darkness and unconcern, trav- 
ailed in birth for the world’s Redeemer. 

The faithful ones, the church of the living 
God,—few as their numbers may be, are 
represented as the “woman clothed with the 
sun, and the moon under her feet, and upon 





—————— 


, and the moon under her feet.” 


““A woman clothed with the sun 





: 
’ 


THE GREAT CONTROVERSY. 


her head a crown of twelve stars.” It is the 
closing of one era, the age of types and sha- 
dows, which, like the moon, reflect the light 
of the true. The moon is under the feet of the 
church, and the glorious sunrising of a new day 
is ushered in. The paler light of the moon 
seems dim in that more glorious day. The 
types and ceremonies of the sanctuary service, 
which had been a shadow of the real, were 
passing away; for type met antitype in the 
Child that was born. Every sacrifice from the 
Garden of Eden to the cross, shadowed forth 
the great Sacrifice, and taught the everlasting 
Gospel. By faith, the sinner confessing his 
sins over the head of the innocent lamb, saw 
the real Sacrifice, and the light from Calvary 
reflected from the sacrifice shone into his heart. 
This service typified the Gospel in its fullness. 
This is the foundation upon which the church 
stands. It is not a stone slipping away, a 
sliding foundation, but a solid foundation upon 
which the living church rests. To-day the 
record of that typical service, emits light to the 
one who will search it. True, it does not have 
the full blaze of sunlight like the record of the 
antitypical Offering, but there is a mild and 
gentle light emitted from it that well repays 
the searcher after truth. 

Around the head of the church clustered 
twelve stars, representing the twelve apostles, 
who became the fathers of the Christian church, 
their names are also on the twelve foundation 
stones of the New Jerusalem. 

The followers of Christ are the special objects 
of care in the courts of heaven, and there never 
was a time when the interest was more intense 





213 


And there appeared a great won- 
der in heaven; a woman clothed 
with the sun, and the moon under 
her feet, and upon her head a 
crown of twelve stars: 

And she being with child cried, 
travailing in birth, and pained to 
be delivered. Rev. 12:1, 2. 


By faith the sinner saw the 
real Sacrifice. 


The Holy Ghost this signifying, 
that the way into the holiest cf all 
was not yet. made manifest, while 
as the first tabernacle was yet 
standing : 

Which was a figure for the time 
then present, in which were offered 
both gifts and sacrifices, that could 
not make him that did the service 
perfect, as pertaining to the con- 
science ; 

But Christ being come an high 
priest of good things to come, by a 
greater and more perfect tabernacle, 
not made with hands, that is to say, 
not of this building. 

Heb. 9: 8-11. 


And are built upon the founda- 
tion of the apostles and prophets, 
Jesus Christ himself being the chief 
corner stone. Eph. 2:20, 21, 


214 STORY 


The devil said unto him, All this 
power will I give thee, and the glory 
of them: for that is delivered unto 
me; and to whomsoever I will I 
give it. Luke 4:6. 


And there appeared another won- 
der in heaven; and behold a great 
red dragon, having seven heads 
and ten horns, and seven crowns 
upon his heads. Rev. 12:8. 





Czsar Augustus. 


Luke 2:1. 
Eph. 2:2. 


I stood upon the sand of the sea, 
and saw a beast rise up out of the 
sea, having seven heads and ten 
horms, and upon his homs ten 
crowns, and upon his heads the 
name of blasphemy. Rev. 13:1. 


Dan. 7:25. 


Search the Scriptures; for in 
them ye think ye have eternal life: 
and they are they which testify of 
me. John 5 : 39. 





OF THE SEER OF PATMOS. 


than when the fullness of time was at hand, and 
the Son laid aside His God form, and clothed 
Himself in human flesh,—flesh subject to all the 
weaknesses of the frailest child on earth. Into 
the territory of Satan, into the nation which 
was the very essence of all untruth and deceit, 
the deepest, strongest compound of error, Christ 
came as a helpless child to show the power 
of truth and love. 

“There appeared another wonder in 
heaven;” it was the opposing power of 
Satan embodied in the ruling monarchy of 
earth—the empire of Rome, with Czsar 
Augustus at its head. It is plainly stated 
in Rev. 12:9 that the great red dragon is 
the devil; and the seven heads with the 
ten horns represent the Roman Empire, 
in which the devil dwelt. This power dur- 
ing the reign of paganism, crucified the 
Saviour ; and in its modified form, known as 
the papacy, held the church of God in bondage 
for twelve hundred and sixty years. 

Rome, at the time of the first advent, had, in 
her conquest about the Mediterranean, gained 
control of Palestine, the home of the Jews. 
Herod sat as king, but only by consent of the 
emperor, to whom he paid tribute. Herod was 
the last king who ruled over the Jews. “In his 
first will, he [Herod] appointed Antipas his 
successor ; in his last, Archelaus. The people 
were ready to receive Archelaus, but afterwards 
revolted. Both he and Antipas went to Rome, 
each to present his claim to Czsar for decision. 
Czesar confirmed neither, but sent Archelaus 
back to Judea with the title of ethnarch; also 
with the promise of the crown, if he deserved it 


oe 


THE GREAT CONTROVERSY. 


But his conduct was such that he never obtained 
it.” This was the fulfillment of the prophecy 
concerning the Christ-child. Over seven hun- 
dred and fifty years before the Saviour’s birth, 
Isaiah wrote: “Before the Child shall know to 
refuse the evil, and choose the good, the land 
that thou abhorrest shall be forsaken of both 
her kings.” The death of Herod occurred 
when the Jewish nation was ruled by its king, 
aided by the Sanhedrin and the priests; and 
in the removing of the kings, the “dragon,” 


through Rome, cast the third part of the stars 


of heaven to the earth. 
The divine hand. which 
wrote this history cannot 
be hidden; for the very 
language which was liter- 
ally fulfilled in Jerusalem, 
describes, with equal ac- 
curacy, the great fall in 
heaven, when Satan was 
cast out together with one- 
third of the angels,—those 
who adhered to his principles. 

Satan knew the time for the advent of the 
Son of man, and he determined to slay Him at 
birth. The history of the decree of Herod, who 
caused the slaying of “all the children that were 
in Bethlehem, and in all the coasts thereof,” 
may be read in the Gospel of Matthew and in 
the prophecy of Jeremiah. The Child was 
- guarded by an angel band, and He escaped the 
sword of the angry king. Throughout the life- 
time of Christ, repeated attempts were made to 
take His life; and failing to do this, Satan 
haunted His every step, seeking to entrap Him 


215 


When he heard that Archelaus did 
reign in Judza in the room of his 
father Herod, he was afraid to go 
thither: notwithstanding, being 
warned of God in a dream, he 
turned aside into the parts of Gal- 
ilee. Matt. 2:22, 


Isa. 7 : 16. 


And his tail drew the third part 
of the stars of heaven, and did 
cast them to the earth: and the 
dragon stood before the woman 
which was ready to be delivered, 
for to devour her child as soonas 


it was born. Rev. 12:4. 





Bethlehem. 


Matt. 2 : 16-18, 


Thus saith the Lord; A voice 
was heard in Ramah, lamentation, 
and bitter weeping ; Rachel weep- 
ing for her children refused to be 
comforted for her children, because 
they were not. 

Thus saith the Lord ; Refrain thy 
voice from weeping, and thine eyes 
from.tears: for thy work shall be 
rewarded, saith the Lord ; and they 
shall come again from the land of 
the enemy. Jer. 31:15, 16. 


And rose up, and thrust him out 
of the city, and led him unto the 
brow of the hill whereon their city 
was built, that they might cast him 
down headlong. Luke 4 :29. 


Isa. 9:6. - 


216 STORY 


For he is our peace, who hath 
made both one, and hath broken 
down the middle wall of partition 
between us. Eph. 2: 14. 


Gen. 49:10. 
Heb. 1:8. 


Psa. 2 :6-9. 


We see Jesus, who was made a 
little lower than the angels for the 
suffering of death, crowned with 
glory and honour; that he by the 
grace of God should taste death for 
every man. Heb. 2:9. 


Let the saints be joyful in glory: 
let them sing aloud upon their beds. 

Let the high praises of God be in 
their mouth, and a twoedged sword 
in their hand ; 

To execute vengeance upon the 
heathen, and punishments upon the 
people ; ; 

To bind their kings with chains, 
and their nobles with fetters of 
iron ; 

To execute upon them) the judg- 
ment written: this honour have all 
his saints, Praise ye the Lord. 

Psa. 149 5-9. 


For even hereunto were ye called : 
because Christ also suffered for us, 
leaving us an example, that ye 
should follow his steps. 

1 Pet. 2:21. 


Wham God hath raised up, hav- 
ing loosed the pains of death : be- 
cause it was not possible that he 
should be holden of it. 

Acts 2:24. 


And she brought forth a man 
child, who was to rule all nations 
with a rod of iron: and her child 
was caught up unto God, and to 
his throne. Rev, 12:6. 


Looking unto Jesus the author 
and finisher of our faith; who for 
the joy that was set before him en- 
dured the cross, despising the shame, 
and is set down at the right hand of 
the throne of God, Heb, 12:2. 





OF THE SEER OF PATMOS. 


through the weakness of human flesh, or cause 
Him to exércise His divine power for His own 
protection. 

“Unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is 
given: and the government shall be upon His 
shoulder; and His name shall be called Won- 
derful, Counsellor, The Mighty God, The Ever- 
lasting Father, The Prince of Peace.” Of Judah 
it had been said. in the days of Jacob, “The 
scepter shall not depart from Judah, nor a law- 
giver from between his feet, until Shiloh come; 
and unto Him shall the gathering of the people 
be.” This was fulfilled in the birth of Christ. 
Of Him alone, Jehovah, the Father, said, “ Thy 
throne, O God, is forever and ever: a scepter of 
righteousness is the scepter of Thy kingdom.” 
To this Child King, and to Him alone, has been 
given the right to rule with arod ofiron. “I 
have set My King upon My holy hill of Zion. 
I will declare the decree: the Lord hath said 
unto Me, Thou art My Son; this day have I 
begotten Thee. Ask of Me, andI shall give 
Thee the heathen for Thine inheritance and the 
uttermost parts of the earth for Thy possession. 
Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron.” 

The Saviour lived among men for thirty-three 
years, an example in childhood, youth, and man- 
hood, of the possibilities of a life with God. He 
was crucified, yet He triumphed over death. 
Satan thought that he held Christ securely, but 
the moment of exultation was a signal for his 
eternal defeat. Even then, a shout rang 
through heaven as the victory over death was 
seen. He broke the fetters of the tomb, and 
“her Child was caught up unto God and to His 
throne.” Again heaven resounded with praise ; 


THE GREAT CONTROVERSY. 


for the triumph was seen, and the terrors of evil 
were recognized as never before. 

Only the mountain peaks, in the history of 
the Christian church, are revealed in this view. 
There is the glorious rising of the sun; then, a 
lapse of over five hundred years. The days of 
papal tyranny and persecution are shown when 
the “woman” was in the wilderness for twelve 
hundred and sixty years; and the last peak is 
when the sun again shines upon the Remnant 
church in all its splendor. There are three 
steps from the moonlight of the typical sanctuary 
service until the day of triumph and salvation is 
completed; but oh, what those steps imply! 
The emptying of heaven in the gift of its Prince; 
the crushing of the light under the feet of him 
who thought to exalt his throne above that of 
the Most High, and lastly, the gathering of a 
little company with whom the dragon is still 
wroth, but who keep the commandments of God 
and cherish the light of His Spirit. 

It may, at first, seem strange that this far- 
reaching view of the church, should at once 
bring before the prophet’s mind the whole 
history of Satan,—the power behind the throne 
of Rome in its evil doings toward the Christ. 
And yet, when the spirit of heaven is caught, 
this is the most natural view. Before the 
creation of our world, “there was war in 
heaven.” Christ and the Father covenanted 
together; and Lucifer, the covering cherub, 
grew jealous because he was not admitted into 
the eternal councils of the Two who sat upon 
the throne. He, the light-bearer, standing so 
close to God that he reflected the glory of the 
throne, allowed jealousy to rankle in his heart. 


214 


And the woman fied into the wil- 
derness, where she hath a place 
prepared of God, that they shoula 
Feed her there a thousand two 
hundred and threescore-days. 

Rev, 12:6. 


For thou hast said in thine heart, 
I will ascend into heaven, I will 
exalt my throne above the stars of 
God : I will sitalso upon the mount 
of the congregation, in the sides of 
the north: 

I will ascend above the heights of 
the clouds ; I will be like the most 
High. Isa. 14:13, 14. 


He said unto them, I beheld 
Satan as lightning fall from heaven. 
Luke 10: 18. 


And there was war in heaven: 
Michael and his angels fought 
against the dragon; and the 
dragon fought and his angels, 

And prevailed not; neither was 
their place found any more in 
heaven. Rev. 12:7, 8. 


Thou art the anointed cherub that 
covereth ; and I have set thee so. 
Eze. 28 3 14. 


218 


And the great dragon was cast 
out, that old serpent, called the 
Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth 
the whole world : he was cast out 
into the earth, and his angels were 
cast out with him. 

Rev. 12:9. 


Then Satan answered the Lord, 
and said, Doth Job fear God for 
nought? 

Hast not thou made an hedge 
about him, and about his house, and 
about all that he hath on every side? 
thou hast blessed the work of his 
hands, and his substance is in- 
creased in the land. 

But put forth thine hand now, 
and touch all that he hath, and he 
will curse thee to thy face. 

Job. 1:9-11. 


Now there was a day when the 
sons of God came to present them- 
selves before the Lord, and Satan 
came also among them. 

Job 1:6, 


Luke 3 :38. 

Rom. 6:16. 

1 Tim, 22: 19-23. 

2 Chron, 18: 18-21, 


The Lord said unto Satan, 
Whence comest thou? Then Satan 
answered the Lord, and said, From 
going to and fro in the earth, and 
from walking up and down in it, 

Job 1:7. 


Rey. 12:10. 
Job 1:9, 10. 
Job 231-5. 


STORY OF THE SEER OF PATMOS. 





For the first time, the harmony of heaven was 
broken. The discord spread; and when love 
failed to win, Lucifer and his followers were 
cast beyond the gates of heaven, and Satan was 
permitted to make the earth his abiding place. 
Justice called for death; but Mercy pleaded for 
a testing of the principles upon which the divine 
government was founded. The rainbow about 
the throne promised long-suffering. The charge 
was made that God ruled with an arbitrary 
hand. The controversy was begun. Satan 
claimed that if permitted to do so, he could 
establish a government where tyranny would 
be forever absent. Heaven granted him the 
earth in which to test his principles. So true is 
God to the law of love, so sure are the founda- 
tions of His throne, that, although it cost the 
life of His Son, He yet gave permission for the 
trial. 

The governments of earth became the instru- 
ments through which Satan worked. Our little 
planet became the center of interest among the 
angels, and the beings of unfallen worlds. 
According to the government of heaven, repre- 
sentatives from each world meet in council at 
the gate of heaven as the men of earth, for cen- 
turies after Adam was driven from the Garden, 
brought their offerings to the gate of Paradise. 
Among the sons of God who gathered there, 
Satan came also. Satan was a son of God by 
creation, and likewise, because of the earth over 
which he had usurped power, and bore sway. 
As a representative of the earth, he claimed the 
right to meet at the gate. There, in the midst 
of the heavenly assembly, he stood an accuser 
of the brethren. The case of Job and that of 


THE GREAT CONTROVERSY. 219 


Joshua are examples of the complaints which he 
brought against the government of God. Over 
and over again, angels had listened to the accu- 
sations made against the men of earth. When 
Christ was living here as a man, the heavenly 
host watched the deep-laid plots for His over- 
throw; they saw the jealousy among Jewish 
tulers, the cruelty of the Romans; and as the 
cross was approached, the pain which pierced 
them was akin to that of their suffering Master. 

Jesus, sitting in the temple court 
but a few days before the end, looked 
forward to the cross, and with feelings 
too deep for human heart to sense, 
said, “ Now is the judgment of this 
world: now shall the prince of this 
world be cast out.” At the cross, the fate of 
Satan was forever sealed. “I, if I be lifted 
up, will draw all unto Me.” Darkness cov- 
ered Calvary on that awful day, but the eye of 
faith could pierce the cloud; for the hour 
that seemed the darkest, was, for the uni- 
verse, the hour of greatest victory. “At the 
cross of Calvary love and selfishness stood 
face to face. Here was their crowning manifes- 
tation. Christ had lived only to comfort and 
bless, and in putting Him to death, Satan mani- 
fested the malignity of his hatred against God. 
He made it evident that the real purpose of his 
rebellion was to dethrone God and to destroy 
Him through whom the love of God was shown.” 

When from the depths of anguish, the dying 
Son of man exclaimed, “It is finished,” in spite 
of the sympathy which could scarcely bear re- 
straint, a shout of victory rang through heaven. 
Christ’s “ear caught the distant music and the 


He shewed me Joshua the high 
priest standing before the angel of 
the Lord, and Satan standing at his 
right hand to resist him. ; 

And the Lord said unto Satan, 
The Lord rebuke thee, O Satan; 
even the Lord that hath cliosen 
Jerusalem rebuke thee: is not this 
a brand plucked out of the fire ? 

Now Joshua was clothed with 
filthy garments, and stood before 
the angel. Zech. 3 : 1-3. 


John 12 231,22. 






Darkness 
covered 
Calvary 
on that awful day. 


Now from the sixth hour there 
was darkness over all the land unto 
the ninth hour. Matt. 27: 45- 


At the ninth hour Jesus cried 
with a loud voice, saying, Eloi, 
Eloi, lama sabachthani? which is, 
being interpreted, My God, my 
God, why hast thou forsaken me? 

Mark 15 : 34. 


John 19 :30. 


Mercy and truth are met together ; 
righteousness and peace have kissed 
each other. 

Truth shall spring out of the 
earth ; and righteousness shall look 
down from heaven, 

Psa. 85:10, 11. 


And ! heard a loud voice saying 
in heaven, Now is come salvation, 
and strength, and the kingdom of 
our God, and the power of his 
Christ: for the accuser of our 
brethren is cast down, which ac- 
cused them before our God day 
and night. Rev. 12:10. 


And as Moses lifted up the ser- 
pent in the wilderness, even so must 
the Son of man be lifted up: 

That whosoever believeth in him 
should not perish, but have eternal 
life. John 3:14, 15. 


And they overcame him by the 
blood of the Lam5, and by the word 
of their testimony ; and they loved 
not their lives unto the death. 

Rev, 12:11. 


For by thy words thou shalt be 
justified, and by thy words thou 
shalt be condemned. 

Matt. 12:37. 


So speak ye, and so do, as they 
that shall be judged by the law of 
iberty. Jas. 2:12. 


Therefore rejoice, ye heavens, 
and ye that dwell in them. Woe 
to the inhaditers of the earth and 
of the sea! for the devil is come 
down unto you, having great 
wrath, because he knoweth that he 
hath but a short time. 

Rev. 12:12. 


STORY OF THE SEER OF PATMOS. 





He 
knew that the death knell of Satan’s empire had 
sounded, and the name of Christ would be 
heralded from world to world throughout the 


shouts of victory in the heavenly courts. 


universe.” “And I heard a loud voice saying 
in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, 
and the kingdom of our God, and the power of 
His Christ; for the accuser of our brethren is 
cast down, which accused them before our God 
day and night.” Wonderful triumph! One 
loses much of the force of Christ’s life, unless 
he sees the actual triumph at the cross. He 
who had given up His power and His strength, 
taking human weakness instead, and “trodden 
the winepress alone”’ regained all at the cross. 

The life of Christ as a man, formed the 
strongest bonds between angels and human 
beings, so that in heaven, men are spoken of as 
‘our brethren.” “They overcame him by the 
blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their tes- 
timony, ‘and in their love for Christ, they will 
ingly sacrificed life itself.” “Rejoice, ye heav- 
ens, and ye that dwell in them.” This was a 
dark hour for the disciples, who stood blinded by 
grief beside a sealed sepulcher; but angels, who 
knew *the power of eternal life, witnessing the 
exaltation of the Son of God and the final cast- 
ing out of Satan, sang halleluiahs. No longer 
would Satan, “the prince of this world,” be ad- 
mitted to their councils. No longer could he 
accuse the brethren in their presence. Rejoice, 
ye heavens, and ye that dwell in them.” 

This was at the time of the crucifixion; and 
while joy rang through heaven, and the strains 
echoed and re-echoed again at His ascension, 
the world was not yet free from the wiles of the 


oe 


THE GREAT CONTROVERSY. 


devil. Having been cast to the earth, he put 
forth redoubled efforts to overthrow the truth, 
as it was heralded by followers of the Man 
of Nazareth. Through the various governments 
he had worked, only to meet with defeat in the 
end. Subtlety took the place of opposition. 
Paganism melted away before the increasing 
light of the Gospel; but pagan principles were 
accepted by Christians, and clothed in-the garb 
of Christianity. Here again is the story of the 
churches of Pergamos and Thyatira and the 
fourth seal. “Woe to the inhabiters of the 
earth and of the sea! for the devil is come down 
unto you, having great wrath, because he know- 
eth that he hath but a short time.” With the 
intensity of despair he pushed his destructive 
plans. “And when the dragon saw that he was 
cast unto the earth, he persecuted the woman 
which brought forth the man child.” The papacy 
was established at Rome in 538 A. pD. for twelve 
hundred and sixty years,—the “thousand two 
hundred and three score days” of Rev. 12:6, 
the ‘time, and times, and half a time” of Rev. 
12:14. It was the period during which the 
“two witnesses ” of the eleventh chapter of Rev- 
elation prophesied in sackcloth. It is the period 
called the Dark Ages. Hidden from sight in 
mountain fastnesses, and obscure corners of the 
earth, some secretly, through the long night, 
held fast to the Word of God. From the 
mouth of the “dragon’’ was cast out a flood of 
iniquity, of false doctrines, of false teachings, of 
persecutions, in the hope of forever drowning 
the truth. Inthe East, this flood was “smoke” 
from the “bottomless pit” in the form of Mo- 
hammedanism ; in the West, it was the papacy. 


22f 


Now is the judgment of this 
world : now shall the prince of this 
world be cast out. 

And I, if I be lifted up from the 
earth, will draw all men unto me. 

This he said, signifying what 
death he should die. 

John 12 : 31-33. 

For I know this, that after my de- 
parting shall grievous wolves enter 
in among you, not sparing the 
flock. 

Also of your own selves shall men 
arise, speaking perverse things, to 
draw away disciples after them. 

Acts 20:29, 30. 


And when the dragon saw that 
he was cast unto the earth, he 
persecuted the woman which 
brought forth the man child. 

Rev. 12:73. 


It shall be for a time, times, and 
an half ; and when he shall have ac- 
complished to scatter the power of 
the holy people, all these things 
shall be finished. Dan. 12:7. 


And to the woman were giventwo 
wings of a great eagle, that she 
might fly into the wilderness, into 
her place, where she is nourished 
for atime, and times, and half a 
time, from the face of the serpent. 

And the serpent cast out of his 
mouth water as a flood after the 
woman, that he might cause her 
to be carried away of the flood. 

Rev. 12:14, 16. 


Thou hast made us as the off- 
scouring and refuse in the midst of 
the people. 

All our enemies have opened their 
mouths against us. 

Lam. 3 : 45, 46. 

Howbeit in vain do they worship 
me, teaching for doctrines the com- 
mandments of men. 

For laying aside the command- 
ment of God, ye hold the tradition 
of men, as the washing of pots and 
cups: and many such like things 
ye do. 

And he said unto them, Full well 
ye reject the commandment of God, 
that ye may keep your own tradi- 
tion, Mark 7 :7-9. 


"222 STORY 


And the earth helped the woman, 
and the earth opened her mouth, 
and swallowed up the flood which 
the dragon cast out of his mouth. 

Rev, 12:16. 


God setteth the solitary in fam- 
ilies: he bringeth out those which 
are bound with chains: but the re- 
bellious dwell in a dry land. 

Psa. 68: 6. 


The Lord gave the word; great 
was the company of those that pub- 
lished it. 

Kings of armies did flee apace: 
and she that tarried at home divided 
the spoil. Psa. 68:11, 12. 


He had in his hand a little book 
open: and he set his right foot 
upon the sea, and his left foot on 
the earth, 

And cried with a loud voice, as 
when a lion roareth. 

Rev. 10:2, 3. 


And the dragon was wroth with 
the woman, and went to make war 
with the remnant of her seed, 
which keep the commandments of 
God, and have the testimony of 
Jesus Christ. Rev, 12:17. 


Rev. 14 712. 


The voice of the Lord is power- 
ful ; the voice of the Lord is full of 
majesty. Psa. 29: 4, 5. 


Hallow my sabbaths ; and they 
shall be a sign between me and you, 
that ye may know that I am the 
Lord your God. Eze. 20:20, 


The testimony of Jesus is the 
spirit of prophecy. Rev. 19: 10. 


Rev. 22:7. 
2 Cor, 11:14, 15. 


OF THE SEER OF PATMOS. 





At last the earth itself grew weary of the 
evil. God broke the power of the tyranny. 
He raised up rulers who opposed the power of 
the papacy, and who espoused the cause of the 
reformers, and sheltered them from the anath- 
emas hurled after them. This was especially 
true among the German princes at the Diet of 
Spires, and the same spirit characterized William 
of Orange in the Netherlands, and some of the 
English rulers; and the help which the earth 
gave, was seen especially in the refuge offered to 
the persecuted souls on the shores of America. 

The power of the Reformation is still felt in 
the earth; and the nations of Western Europe, 
together with the people of the United States, 
have the privilege of giving the last messages of 
the Gospel of Christ to the world. The mighty 
angel of the tenth chapter of Revelation had a 
message for the Remnant church, and the four- 
teenth chapter brings to light more fully the last 
work of the “woman” with whom the “dragon” 
is wroth. The purity and power of the sunlight 
characterized the Apostolic Church. There are 
two characteristics of the Remnant; they keep 
the commandments of God,—the law which forms 
the foundation of the eternal throne, and which 
Lucifer considered an arbitrary code. In the 
midst of this law, is the seal which the “dragon” 
sought to destroy, but which is restored to the 
last true church. The second distinguishing 
mark of theRemnant is that they have the testi- 
mony of Jesus Christ, which is the Spirit of 
Prophecy. As time grows short, the anger of 
the devil increases, and his deceptions assume 
their most subtle forms. He finally personates 
the Son of man, and appears on earth as an 


THE GREAT CONTROVERSY. 


angel of light. At that time his exceeding great 
wrath will be manifested toward those who keep 
the commandments of God, and who have the 
testimony of Jesus Christ. These two tests, 
and these alone, distinguish between those who 
are accepted of God and those who are not. 

John, to whom was made known the Revela- 
tion of Jesus Christ, was bidden by the Son of 
God to take the opened prophecies of Daniel. 
The testimony of Jesus Christ is added to the 
testimony of these two great prophets through a 
chosen prophet in the Remnant church. Though 
the gift of prophecy was long silent, it is in the 
Remnant church; though the law of God was 
long degraded and suppressed, it is again obeyed 
by the Remnant. 

The wrath of Satan may be great, but He 
who preserved Christ will preserve His people 
till the end. The book of Revelation reveals 
the fact that the Remnant church is now in 
existence and that the time is short. 


223 


Even him, whose coming is after 
the working of Satan with all power 
and signs and lying wonders, 

And with all deceivableness of 
unrighteousness in them that per- 
ish ; because they received not the 
love of the truth, that they might be 
saved. 2 Thess, 2 :9, 10. 


The voice which I heard from 
heaven spake unto me again, and 
said, Go and take the little book 
which is open in the hand of the 
angel which standeth upon the sea 
and upon the earth. 

And I went unto the angel, and 
said unto him, Give me the little 
book. And he said unto me, Take 
it,andeatitup. Rev. 10:8, 9. 


Her king and her princes are 
among the Gentiles; the law is no 
more ; her prophets also find no 
vision from the Lord. 

Lam. 2:9. 


For the Lord will not cast off for 
ever: 

But though he cause grief, yet 
will he have compassion according 
to the multitude of his mercies. 

For he doth not afflict willingly 
nor grieve the children of men. 

Lam. 3 :31-33. 








CHAP TE ROY. 


THE BEAST FRO/1 THE SEA AND THE BEAST FRO/1 THE EARTH. 


He that is spiritual judgeth all 
things. 1 Cor. 2:15. 


John 12:28, 29. 
Heb. 1:1. 


How is the gold become dim! 
how is the most fine gold changed ! 
the stones of the sanctuary are 
poured out in the top of every 
street. 

The precious sons of Zion, com- 
parable to fine gold, how are they 
esteemed as earthen pitchers, the 
work of the hands of the potter ! 

Lam. 4:1, 2. 


Rom. 8:35. 
Eccl. 3:11. 
Rom. 11:31. 


I have declared the former things 
from the beginning ; and they went 
forth out of my mouth, and I shewed 
them; I did them suddenly, and 


they came to pass. Isa. 48 :3. 


For the kingdom is the Lord’s: 
and he is the governor among the 
ations. Psa. 22:28. 


224 


WHEN a human mind can put itself in the 
channel of divine thought, then and only then, 
can the events of the world’s history be rightly 
interpreted. To John was given a many-sided 
history of the church on earth. He saw it in 
its purity, and watched it until it was wholly 
corrupt. In every case the love of God was 
unmistakably written on every page. The story 
of nations reveals the infinite love of the 
Creator no less than the history of the church 
reveals His love. The twelfth chapter of Reve- 
lation is a bird’s-eye view of the church from the 
days of Christ until the plan of redemption is 
complete. The thirteenth chapter bears more 
directly on the nations which are the chief 
actors in the Great Controversy, related in the 
previous chapter. 

Patmos is described as a desolate, rocky 


\ 


THE TWO BEASTS. 


island; but it had a sandy beach, and at times 
the prophet-exile stood upon the sands of the 
sea, and watched the dashing of the waves of 
the Mediterranean. The ceaseless lapping, the 
ebb and flow of the tide, spoke forcibly to the 
spiritual mind of the holy seer. Everything in 
nature reminded him of his God, and taught 
some deep, hidden lesson. His Master, when 
walking among men, had pointed to the clusters 
on the vine, to the setting sun, to the fig tree, 
or to the sower, and the apostle never saw these 
objects without hearing afresh the sacred story 
of heaven. But now when the scene is changed, 
the same God used the objects which daily met 
the eye of John to tell him of the glories of the 
world to come, or to illustrate the divine hand 
in all human history. The ear that can hear, 
will find a voice in leaf and stone, in rosy sunset 
and in falling twilight. ‘Lo, these are parts of 
His ways . . . but the thunder of His 
power who can understand?” 

As John stood upon the sand of the sea, his 
mind was opened to the influence from above, and 
he received a new revelation. He saw “a beast 
rise up out of the sea;”’ from the midst of the 
waves aform appeared. It had the lithe and spot- 
ted body of a leopard, the feet of a bear, and the 
mouth of alion. The Lord had before repre- 
sented the history of nations by beasts; and the 
symbols here used, are the same which were 
given to Daniel, and were interpreted for that 
prophet by Gabriel, the angel of revelation. In 
the history of the world four beasts, or king- 
doms, cover the tine from the days when Israel 
lost its standing as a nation until Christ sets up 
His everlasting kingdom. These four, speaking 


1§ 


225 


Fear ye not me? saith the Lord: 
will ye not tremble at my presence, 
which have placed the sand for the 
bound of the sea by a perpetual 
decree, that it cannot pass it: and 
though the waves thereof tess them- 
selves, yet can they not prevail; 
though they roar, yet can they not 
pass over it? Jer. 5:22. 


Psa. 104 6-8. 
Psa. 191-4. 


For the invisible things of him 
from the creation of the world are 
clearly seen, being understood by 
the things that are made, even his 


‘eternal power and Godhead; so 


that they are without excuse. 
Rom, 1:20, 


John 15:5. 
Josh. 24 327. 
Job 26:14. 


And 1! stood upon the sand of 
the sea, and saw a beast rise up 
out of the sea, having seven heads 
and ten horns, ard upon his horns 
ten crowns, and upon his heads the 
name of blasphemy. Rev. 13:1. 


Rev. 17 24-6. 


The wicked have drawn out the 
sword, and have bent their bow, to 
cast down the poor and needy, and 
to slay such as be of upright con- 
versation, Psa. 37 14. 


226 STORY 


Babylon hath been a golden cup 
in the Lord’s hand, that made all 
the earth drunken: the nations 
have drunken of her wine ; there- 
fore the nations are mad. 

ere 5X = 7 

Thou art this head of gold. 

Dan, 2:38. 


Then shall his mind change, and 
he shall pass over, and offend, im- 
puting this his power unto his god. 

Hab. 1:11. 


Dan. 4:23. 
Dan. 7 5: 
Isa. 13 : 16-18, 





OF THE SEER OF PATMOG® 





of them in the order of their existence, were 
Babylon, Medo-Persia, Greece, and Rome. 
Babylon was the lion, the king of beasts, which 
ruled by the power of worldly grandeur. Com- 
pared with other kingdoms, this kingdom was 
as gold among the baser metals. Babylon was 
overthrown; but her religious principles lived 
on, and, like the roots of a fallen tree, sent 
forth a cluster of new fruit-bearing branches. 
Babylon’s crowning sin was that of imputing all 
her wisdom and power unto false gods. 

Medo-Persia succeeded Babylon, and 











the bear was taken to represent that 


























nation. Not so noble in appearance as 














Now, O king, establish the de- 
cree, and sign the writing, that it be 
not changed, according to the law 
of the Medes and Persians, which 
altereth not, Dan. 6:8. 


Touching the Almighty, we can- 
not find him out: he is excellent in 
power, and in judgment, and in 
plenty of justice : he will not afflict. 

Men do therefore fear him: he 
respecteth not any that are wise of 
heart. Job 37 :23, 24. 


Shall the throne of iniquity have 
fellowship with thee, which frameth 
mischief byalaw? Psa. 94:20. 


the lion, but stronger, and more savage. 
With its feet 
it stamped 
and_ crushed 
its foe. The 
strength of 
Medo - Persia 
lay in its ty- 
rannical gov- 
ernment. It 
was a mon- 
archy of the most absolute form, and the 
fact that the laws of the Medes and Persians 
changeth not, was known not only by the 
nation itself, but by all who fell under its power. 
A terrible tyranny was the result,—an example of 
“which is recorded in the book of Esther, where 
the law passed by Xerxes, the greatest of Per- 
sian monarchs, would have blotted the people of 
God from the earth if the Lord had not brought 
deliverance. This history will be repeated in 
the closing scenes of earth. 


Corinth. 





38 34} JO Jno dn asi jskaq B MBS pu ‘vas dy} JO pues dy} UOdN poo}js | ,, 


eo 


a & vis 


_# a 





THE TWO BEASTS. 


The Medo-Persian government likewise fell 
when the life-giving Spirit of God was with- 
drawn; and the Greek Empire followed. 
Through Greece, ‘‘ the prince of the power of the 
air,” the “old dragon,” who was cast into the 
earth, attempted a new scheme for enslaving the 
truth. Greek culture and intellectual develop- 
ment carried men farther away from the simple 
truth of God’s Word than any form of religion, 
or any oppression. from the government. The 
teachers of Greek philosophy followed in the 
wake of the Alexandrian conquests. The 
beauty and esthetic nature of their learning 
deceived men as nothing else has ever done. 
The mixture of good and evil was divinely repre- 
sented by the spotted leopard, and its universal 
acceptance, by the lithe form and agile move- 
ments. 

John saw a beast coming up out of the sea, 
rising in the midst of the nations of the earth, 
and it combined the characteristics of the 
leopard, the bear, and the lion. The successor 
of Greece was Rome, and profiting by past 
failures, the devil combined the strength of all 
preceding kingdoms in this fourth. A false 
religion, a tyrannical government, upheld and 
propagated by a flattering, insinuating, false 
system of education,—this was the body of the 
beast. 

It had seven heads and ten horns, and ten 
crowns upon these horns. Besides building a 
nation with the quintessence of the evil of all 
the past, the power which was controlling in the 
growth of Rome, experimented on that nation, 
seeking for that form of administration which 
would best accomplish his designs. The gov- 


2277 


The letters were sent by posts 
into all the king’s provinces, to de- 
stroy, to kill, and to cause to perish, 
all Jews, both young and old, little 
children and women, in one day, 
even upon the thirteenth day of the 
twelfth month, which is the month 
Adar, and to take the spoil of them 
for a prey. Esther 3 : 13. 


(For all the.Athenians and 
strangers which were there spent 
their time in nothing else, but either 
to tell, or to hear some new thing. 

Acts 17:21. 


Jer. 13 :236 


And the beast which/ saw was 
line unto a leopard, and his feet 
were as the feet of a bear, and 
his mouth as the mouth of a lion: 
and the dragon gave him his power, 
and his seat, and great authority 

Rev. 13:2, 


2Sam.12 30 


Thus saith the Lord God; Re- 
move the diadem, and take off the 
crown: this shall not be the same: . 
exalt him that is low, and abase 
him that is high. Eze, 21:26, 


228 STORY 


Ruth 4:2. 
Prov. 20:18, 


For riches are not for ever: and 
doth the crown endure to every gen- 
eration? Prov. 27 :24. 


Oh that my people had hearkened 
unto me, and Israel had walked in 
my ways! 

I should soon have subdued their 
enemies, and turned my hand against 
their adversaries. 

Psa. 81 213, 14. 


All the saints salute you, chiefly 
they that are of Czsar’s household. 
Phil. 4:22. 


Luke 8 : 1-3. 
Acts 25:10. 
Acts 10:1-7. 

2 Cor. 11 313-15. 
Matt. 7:15. 

2 Thess. 2: 4-7. 


Of the ten horns that were in his 
head, and of the other which came 
up, and before whom three fell ; 
even of that horn that had eyes, and 
a mouth that spake very great things, 
whose look was more stout than his 
fellows, Dan. 7:20. 





OF THE SEER OF PATMOS. 


ernment began with a king, but the people were 
able to dethrone the monarch; the wealthy 
ruled for a time as consuls; but there was 
discord and weakness. Ten men were chosen 
to make laws adapted to all classes ; then, all the 
people tried holding the reins of government, 
and Rome became a sort of republic or tribunate. 
The greedy heart of man repeated the story of 
Lucifer in heaven, and a political ring of three 
prominent citizens ruled. This was the trium- 
virate. To find three men in Rome who would 
be of one mind, was as impossible as it would be 
to find such to-day; and shortly the triumvirs 
disappeared, and Rome became an empire. Con- 
stant change was the only means of perpetuity, 
and the throne which Satan hoped to see an 
eternal one, was weakened by constant modifica- 
tions. 

Thus it was at the advent of Christ ; but the 
end of changes was not yet. The very founda- 
tions of the pagan empire tottered as the Gospel 
spread. Paul himself preached Christ to the 
household of the Czesars; and emperors found 
that though they might spurn the teachings of 
the Christ, yet their wives believed, their serv- 
ants accepted Christianity, and even their soldiers, 
accepted the teachings of Jesus. A new and 
unheard of power had arisen which could not be 
met and vanquished, as Czsar had subdued the 
foes of Rome. Then the wisdom of past ages 
was brought into play, and paganism stealthily 
crept under the garments of Christianity. The 
prince of darkness clothed himself in the gar- 
ments of light, and the “mystery of iniquity” 
was established! The pagan Roman Empire was 
broken into ten divisions as described in the 


THE TWO BEASTS. 


seventh chapter of Daniel, but each division was 
a branch nourished by the same old root. 
Seven of the ten divisions developed into the 
nations of modern Europe, and bear the fruits 
formerly borne by the kingdoms which prophecy 
describes under the symbols of the four beasts. 
Each horn wore a crown, showing that each 
is an independent kingdom or nation. These 
horns cluster about the last head which arose in 
their midst, taking the place once occupied by 
three which it plucked up. This plucking up 
of three horns to give place to the papacy, the 
seventh head, is made clear in the seventh 
chapter of Daniel. That each of the various 
forms of government under which Romans have 
lived, was controlled by the enemy of God, 
is signified by the expression that upon each 
head was written the name of blasphemy. 
Each was an attempt to seat a man above the 
God of heaven. The seventh head most fully 
accomplished the design of the enemy of truth ; 
for to the beast, the dragon himself gave power, 
and his seat, and great authority. 

In 330 A. D. Constantine removed his capital 
from Rome to Constantinople. The ancient 
city was left to the papal power and the pope 
occupied in Rome a throne higher than any occu- 
pied by the Czesars. Constantine laid the foun- 
dation of the papacy; but it remained for Jus- 
tinian to complete the edifice in 533 A.D., by 
declaring that memorable decree which consti- 
tuted the pope the head of all the churches. 
The Heruli, the Vandals, and the Ostrogoths 
were of the Arian faich and opposed to the 
bishop of Rome. The decree could not go into 
effect until 538 A.D., when the last of the 


229 


There are seven kings: five are 
fallen, and one is, and the other is 
not yet come ; and when he cometh, 
he must continue a short space. 

Rey. 17:10. 


Rev. 17:3. 


I will sit also upon the mount of 
the congregation, in the sides of the 
north: 

I will ascend above the heights 
of the clouds; I will be like the 
most High. Isa. 14313, 14 


And | saw one of his heads as it 
were wounded to death; and his 
deadly wound was healed : and all 
the world wondered after the 
beast. 

And they worshipped the dragon 
which gave power unto the beast: 
and they worshipped the beast, 
saying, Who is like unto the beast ? 
who is able to make war with him? 

And there was given unto hima 
mouth speaking great things and 
blasphemies ; and power was given 
unto kim to continue forty and two 
months. Rev, 13:38-5. 


The pride of thine heart hath de- 
ceived thee, thou that dwellest in 
the clefts of the rock, whose nabita- 
tion is high ; that saith in his heart, 
Who shall bring me down to the 
ground? Obadiah 3. 


Num. 22 :8, g, 22. 
Num, 23: 1,2. 
Num. 31:16. 


23C 


O my people, remember now what 
Balak king of Moab consulted, and 
what Balaam the son of Beor an- 
swered him from Shittim unto Gil- 
gal ; that ye may know the right- 
eousness of the Lord. Mic. 6:5. 


And he opened his mouth in blas- 
phemy against God, to blaspheme 
his name and his tabernacle, and 
them that dwell in heaven. 

Reu, 13:6. 


He shall think himself able to 
change times and laws: and they 
shall be delivered into his hands 
until a time and times and an half 
a time. 

Dan. 7 :25 [Catholic Trans.] 


Hos. 4: 17-19. 
Rom, 1:5, 8. 
‘Col. nes, 6;245 


I beheld, and the same horn made 
war with the saints, and prevailed 
against them ; 

Until the Ancient of days came, 
and judgment was given to the saints 
of the most High; and the time 
came that the saints possessed the 
kingdom. Dan. 7:21, 22. 


And it was given unto him to 
make war with the saints, and to 
overcome them: and power was 
given him over all kindreds, and 
tongues, and nations. 

And all that dwell upon the 
earth shall worship him, whose 
names are not written in the book 
of life of the Lamb slain from the 
foundation of the world, 

/f any man have an ear, let him 
hear. 

He that leadeth into captivity 
shall go into captivity: he that 
killeth with the sword must be 
killed withthe sword. Here isthe 
patience and the faith of the 
saints, Rev. 13:7-10, 


Gen. 3:15. 


STORY OF THE SEER OF PATMOS. 





opposing powers was overthrown by the armies 
of Justinian. 

From 538 A. D. may be reckoned that absolute 
power which lasted for forty and two prophetic 
months, during which time the mouth speaking 
great blasphemies was practically unchecked. 
“He opened his mouth in blasphemy against 
God.”” He “opposeth and exalteth himself above 
all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so 
that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, show- 
ing himself that he is God.” He soon claimed 
power to forgive sin, and the church became 
sole interpreter of God’s Word ; the consciences 
of all men were made amenable to the church 
or to those to whom the church delegated the 
right to sit in judgment. 

With unbounded audacity, the attempt was 
made to change the immutable law of God. 
The Sabbath was trodden underfoot, the second 
commandment was dropped from the decalogue, 
and the tenth was divided into two. The 
memorial of creation and redemption was thus 
denied to man, the atoning work of Christ was 
set aside, and the worship of idols was instituted. 
Any who dared lift a voice in opposition, or who 
denied, by word or act, the right of the church 
to control the conscience of man, found death a 
welcome relief,—a thing to be sought in prefer- 
ence to the incessant torture inflicted by the 
ecclesiastical tyranny which held the world with 
an iron grip. 

The Gospel of Jesus Christ reached the ears 
of every nation under heaven; and, likewise, 
before the death of the seventh head, every 
kindred, nation, and tongue, will feel its op- 
pression. < 


— = 


THE TWO BEASTS. 


ham the Ieord thyucSod: fhe 
halt not have thy tos gods 
“before me. 
ou shalt not take the name 
Of the Igor athy: Bod invain. 


ember that t thou keep hol 
Benger dau - : 


Honour thy tater and iy mothe a 


cpp shalt not | till. 


q Chou shalt not commit adultery. 
Chou shalt not 3 t gteal 


Chou shalt nae cael ey 
3 neighbors goods. 








232 


Hos, 6 33. 


So jet all thine enemies perish, O 
Lord but let them that love him 
be as the sun when he goeth forth 
in his might. Judg. 5:31. 


Isa. 14 215-19. 
Dan. 7:12. 


When I shall say to the righteous, 
that he shall surely live ; if he trust 
to his own righteousness, and com- 
mit iniquity, all his righteousnesses 
shall not be remembered ; but for 
his iniquity that he hath committed, 
he shall die for it. Eze. 33:13. 


If it seem evil unto you to serve 
the Lord, choose you this day whom 
ye will serve; whether the gods 
which your fathers served that were 
on the other side of the flood, or the 
gods of the Amorites, in whose land 
ye dwell: but as for me and my 
house, we will serve the Lord. 

Josh. 24:15. 


Rey. 17:8. 


STORY OF THE SEER OF PATMOS. 


One of his heads was wounded to death; for 
Truth rose up in its majesty and broke the 
tyrant’s head. The seed of the woman put His 
heel upon the serpent’s head, and would have 
crushed out all the life, had the plan of salvation 
been fully complete. The world emerged from 
the darkness gradually. The light of the Ref- 
ormation shone forth in the sixteenth century ; 
the last public execution for conscience’ sake 
was in Seville, Spain, in 1776; and in 1708, 
the closing year of the forty and two months, 
Pope Pius VI., the representative of that power 
which had crowned and uncrowned kings, which 
had spoken, and Europe, almost em masse, 
had arisen to defend the holy sepulcher, which 
had extracted money from all nations, was Cap- 
tured by the French army, and died, shortly 
after, a prisoner, in fulfillment of the words 
“He that leadeth into captivity shall go into 
captivity.” But the deadly wound was healed. 
The seventh head had not yet done e full work 
in the earth. According to the prophecy of 
Daniel, it lives until the close of time. 

Although it seemed that a deathblow had 
been dealt in the early days of the Reformation ; 
although for a time it was beliéved that the 
nations of Europe would accept Protestantism 
instead of the papacy; notwithstanding bloody 
battles were fought for the cause of Protestant- 


ism, yet life came back into the beast and into’ 


the wounded head; and before the end, all 
nations, kindreds, and people that dwell upon 
the earth, will be called to decide whether they 
will enroll under the banner of Prince Em- 
manuel, or whether they will acknowledge the 
leadership of a power that speaketh blasphemous 





‘ 


-_ 
wr 

Raya 

' ‘ 

¥ 


THE TWO BEASTS. 


words against the Most High. Those who 


choose the standard of Christ will have their 
names entered in the Lamb’s Book of Life; 
they are the ones who accept the message of 
the tenth chapter ‘of Revelation, and who are 
sealed as described in the seventh chapter. 
They will eventually join in the song of redemp- 
tion which is sung before the throne of heaven. 


‘Those who voluntarily choose to follow the 


other power will receive the mark of the beast, 
and in the time of the final judgment, will go 
with their leader into everlasting death. 

He who has long led men into captivity, who 
has claimed the right to rule the hearts of men, 
and who has attempted to overthrow the eternal 
God of heaven, will finally be destroyed. The 
Lion of the tribe of Judah will reign as king; 
not by force, but by the power of love. 

Death follows the footprints of the beast. 
Some may wonder why a God of power does 
not, at once, blot out a rival who brings only 
distress and destruction; but mercy lingers that 
man may be saved. Here is needed, and here 
will be seen, in these closing days of the great 
controversy, the “ patience of the saints.” These 
things must be met by men now living, there- 
fore, “if any man have an ear, let him hear.” 

The student of the book of Revclation has by 
the time he reaches the thirtecnth chapter, met, 
a number of times, the power which would bear 
sway for twelve hundred and sixty years. 
In giving earth’s history, that terrible period 
plays an important part; in the great contro- 
versy between good and evil, it was a marked 
era. It has been viewed from the standpoint 
of the church of God, from that of the false 


233 


Psa, 40:7. 

The Lord said unto him, Go 
through the midst of the city, 
through the midst of Jerusalem, and 
seta mark upon the foreheads of 
the men that sigh and that cry for 
all the abominations that be done 
sin the midst thereof. Eze.g:4. 


Rev. 721-3. 
Rev. 14: 9-12. 


I beheld then because of the voice 
of the great words which the horn 
spake : I beheld even till the beast 
was slain, and his body destroyed, 
and given to the burning flame. 

Dan. 7:11. 


I looked, and behold a pale horse: 
and his name that sat on him was 
Death, and Hell followed with him. 
And power was given unto them 
over the fourth part of the earth, to 
kill with sword, and with hunger, 
and with death, and with the beasts 
of the earth. Rev. 6:8. 


Because thou hast kept the word 
of my patience, I also will keep 
thee from the hour of temptation, 
which shall come uponall the world, 
to try them that dwell upon the 
earth, Rev. 3 210, 


234 STORY 


The woman fled into the wilder- 
ness, where she hath a place pre- 
pared of God, that they should feed 
her there a thousand two huncred 
and threescore days. Rev. 12:6. 


Dan. 
Dan. 
Dan. 


12:6, 
II, 2, 3+ 
7 325. 

Dan. 11 :33-25. 

Dan. 12% 5-7. 

Except those days should be 
shortened, there should no flesh be 
saved: but for the elect’s sake 
those days shall be shortened. 

Matt. 24 : 22. 

Micah 3 : 6. 

Behold, the days come, saith the 
Lord God, that I will send a fam- 
ine in the land, not a famine of 
bread, nor a thirst for water, but of 
hearing the words of the Lord: 

And they shall wander from sea 
to sea,and from the north even to 
the east, they shall run to and fro 
to seek the word of the Lord, and 
shall not find it. Amos 8:11, 12. 


Their line is gone out through all 
the earth, and their words to the 
end of the world. In them hath he 
set a tabernacle for the sun. 

Psa. 19 3 4. 

Behold ye among the heathen, 
and regard, and wonder marvel- 
fously + for I will work a work in 
your days, which ye will not believe, 
though it be told you. Hab. rs. 

Isa. 29 213-15. 

Let mine outcasts dwell with thee, 
Moab; be thou a covert to them 
from the face of the spoiler: for the 
extortioner is at an end, the spoiler 
ceaseth, the oppressors are con- 
sumed out of the land. 

And in mercy shall the throne be 
established: and he shall sit upon 
it in truth in the tabernacle of Da- 
vid, judging, and seeking judgment, 
and hasting righteousness. 

Isa. 16:4, 5. 


He will lift up an ensign to the 
nations from far, and will hiss unto 
them from the end of the earth: 
and, behold, they shall come with 
speed swiftly. Isa. 5:26, 


OF THE SEER OF PATMOS. 





or apostate church, and from the civil side as ~ 
well. In all its aspects, it was a terrible 
time ;—a time when angels trembled for the few 
faithful souls, and the heart of God longed for 
the time of their deliverance. “The noontide 
of the papacy was the world’s moral midnight.” 
The sad thing to contemplate is that the oppres- 
sion, which, during the twelve hundred and 
sixty years was so, galling, will be repeated just 
before the second coming of Christ. The last 
half of the thirteenth chapter deals with the 
history from the sixteenth century to the end of 
time. ‘ 

The Reformation, in which Luther played 
such an important part, was more far reaching 
in its results than its most sanguine advocates 
could imagine, in the days when the light began 
to shine. It was the proclamation of a great 
truth, twofold in its mission. As the papacy 
must be considered, and had to be met, both as 
a civil and as an ecclesiastical power, so the 
Reformation gave birth to, or revived, the prin- 
ciples which were both civil and ecclesiastical in 
nature. The fact is stated in the words of the 
twelfth chapter, ‘The earth helped the woman.” 
The church was in the hands of a persecuting 
power ; and when the dragon sent forth a great 
flood, hoping to drown the truth, the earth came 
to the rescue of the church. The protest of 
the princes of Germany at the Diet of Spires, 
was like a pebble thrown into a lake; a wave 
was started, and the circles widened until man 
could not compass them. 

John had another and more definite view of 
the help given by the earth. Turning from the 
sea, from which he had seen the great and 


THE TWO BEASTS. 


. . . . Maria, 5 ey ace 
terrible beast arise, with its seven | 


heads and ten horns and the names of 
blasphemy, he saw “another beast 
coming up out of the earth.” It 
was at the time the papal power was 
being led into captivity, that the 
prophet saw this new power “coming 
up.” Rome sprang into existence in 
the midst of many peoples; the beast 
arose from the sea, but away from all 
the strife, outside the bounds of Euro- 
pean darkness, arose another nation. 
It was brought into existence by the 
Lord Himself; at the very time it 
was most needed for the development 
of the principles of the Gospel, and 
of the final struggle for truth. 

From 1492 and onward, Europe 
heard reports of a new land beyond 
the seas. Navigators, usually in 
search of gold or glory, explored the 
shores and established colonies. But 
neither wealth nor honor was to havea hand in the 
final settlement ; God reserved the territory, after- 
wards known as the United States of America, 
for the planting of downtrodden truth. When 
Germany refused full liberty, and clung to some 
forms of papal tyranny, Protestantism passed on 
to England. England and Holland for a time 
gave freer scope for the development of these 
principles; but space was limited in the Low 
Countries ; and the British returned at last to 
their kings, and those seeking liberty of con- 
science, passed to the eastern shores of North 
America. In America the oppressed had free- 
dom of worship, the right to educate their chil- 


235 





He saw another beast coming up out 
of the earth. 


And | beheld another beast com- 
ing up out of the earth; and he 
had two horns like a lamb, and he 
spakeasadragon. Rev. 13:11. 


The people that walked in dark 
ness have seen a great light: they 
that dwell in the land of the shadow 
of death, upon them hath the light 
shined. ~ 

Thou hast multiplied the nation, 
and not increased the joy: they joy 
before thee according to the joy in 
harvest, and as men rejoice when 
they divide the spoil. Isa. 9:2, 3. 


They have turned unto me the 
back, and not the face: though I 
taught them, rising up early and 
teaching them, yet they have not 
hearkened to receive instruction. 

Jer. 32 333. 


236 STORY 


Afterwards they turned, and 
caused the servants and the hand- 
maids, whom they had let go free, 
to return, and brought them into 
subjection for servants and for hand- 
maids. Jer. 34:11. 


I will bring you out from the peo- 
ple, and will gather you out of the 
countries wherein ye are scattered, 
with a mighty hand, and with a 
stretched out arm, and with fury 
poured out. 

And I will bring you into the 
wilderness of the people, and there 
will I plead with you face to face. 

Eze. 20:34, 35. 


Where the word of a king is, 
there is power: and who may say 
unto him, What doest thou? 

Eccl. 8: 4. 


So shall they fear the name of 
the Lord from the west, and his 
glory from the rising of the sun. 
When the enemy shall come in like 
a flood, the Spirit cf the Lord shall 
lift up a standard against him, 

; Isa. 59: 19. 


Go through, go through the gates ; 
prepare ye the way of the people ; 
cast up, cast up the highway; 
gather out the stones; lift up a 
standard for the people. 

Isa, 62:10, 


OF THE SEER OF PATMOS. 


dren according to their ideas of God, and the 
privileges of a free government. These were 
the things sought by the Pilgrim Fathers. 

On the bleak New England shores, principles 
of Protestantism and republicanism struggled 
for existence. These two went hand in hand. 
Historians recount the hardships of braving the 
sea and making new homes; but these were 
light trials, compared with the soul-strivings 
against bondage and oppression. So strongly 
ingrained were the principles of monarchy and 
the spirit to dictate in religious matters—the 
two foundation stones of the papacy—that only 
by dint of perseverance and strong determina- 
tion on the part of a few souls who were open 
to heaven-born convictions, there gradually grew 
up in New England a representative form of 
government. The towns about Boston refused 
to be taxed unless they had a voice in the 
legislative body. Thomas Hooker, with his 
whole congregation, emigrated to the wilds of 
Connecticut for greater liberty ; and as a result, 
the first written constitution ever known to 
exist in America, was framed in 1633. Rhode 
Island had an existence solely, because of the 
attempt of man to oppress the conscience of his 
fellow man; and it stands in the Union to-day 
aS a monument of the struggle for religious 
liberty. 

In the more Southern Colonies the same 
battles were fought. Finally, in 1776, the 
Declaration of Independence published to the 
world the purpose of the new and growing 
states to cut loose from the tie which bound 
them to the medizval forms of government. 
The step appeared rash; but this was the thing 





THE FWO BEASTS: 


necessary, to bring unity and united effort 
among the people of America. With one com- 
mon enemy, all internal strife was forgotten ; 
but when the new nation was acknowledged 
free and independent, the problem of ages was 
just before it. Having thrown off the fetters of 
monarchy, and with no definite ideas as to the 
actual workings of an administration by the 
people, the ship of state was in the greatest 
danger of foundering on the rocks of anarchy ; 
or, tired of the open sea, of again seeking 
shelter in the harbor from which it had sailed. 
There were men who 
advocated return; but 
God had His angels in 
the meetings of states- 
men, and His Spirit 
guided the minds of 
those who sought to 


237 


Stand fast, and prepare thee ; for 
the sword shall devour round about 
thee. Jer. 46:14. 


We have heard with our ears, O 
God, our fathers have told us, what 
work thou didst in their days, in 
the times of old. 

How thou didst drive out the 
heathen with thy hand, and plant- 
edst them; how thou didst afflict 
the people, and cast them out. 

For they got not the land in pos- 
session by their own sword, neither 
did their own arm save them: but 
thy right hand, and thine arm, and 
the light of thy countenance, be- 
ccuse thou hadst a favour unto 
them. Psa. 44:1-§. 

} 


























follow the light of the 
Reformation. 

The Federal Conven- 
tion, which convened in 
Philadelphia in the year 1787, was no common 
meeting; for from the work done by the men 
who sat there, a wave was set in motion which 
has influenced every nation of the earth. It 
was by the fifty-five representatives from the 
states which formed the nucleus of the nation 
to-day recognized as one of the leading powers 
of the world, that the American Constitution 
was framed. Of this document Gladstone says: 
“The American Constitution is the most won- 
derful work ever struck off at a given time by 
the brain of man.” The words of the Declara- 
tion of Independence state the principles upon 





Hall of Independence Philadelphia, 1776. 


He hath shewed thee, O man, 
what is good; and what doth the 
Lord require of thee,but to do justly, 
and to love mercy, and to walk 
humbly with thy God ? 

Micah 6:8. 


The Lord shall help them, and 
deliver them: he shall deliver them 
from the wicked, and save them, 
because they trust in him. 

Psa. 37 : 40. 


God is in the midst of her; she 
shall not be moved: God shail 
help her, and that right early. 

Psa. 46:5. 


238 


Psa. 97 2116 


The nations shall see and be con- 
founded at all their might: they 


shall lay their hand upon their 
mouth, their ears shall be deaf. 
Micah 7:16, 
















The Statue of Liberty. 


The Gentiles shall come to thy 
light, and kings to the brightness of 
thy rising. 

Lift up thine eyes round about, 
and see: all they gather themselves 
together, they come to thee: thy 
sons shall come from far, and thy 
daughters shall be nursed at thy 
side, Isa, 69 33, 4+ 


STORY OF THE SEER OF PATMOS. 


which the new government was founded. 
“We hold these truths to be self-evident, 
that all men are created equal, that they 
are endowed by their Creator with certain 
unalienable rights. . . . That, to secure 
these rights, governments are instituted among 
men, deriving their just powers from the con- 
sent of the governed.” This was a deathblow 
to the papal hierarchy ; it was the outgrowth of 
the principles advocated in the sixteenth cen- 
tury,—the result of restoring to their proper 
place the Two Witnesses, that for twelve hun- 
dred and sixty years prophesied, clothed in 
sackcloth. Thus the earth helped the woman, 
by giving to her a home where the sunlight 
might shine unobstructed by the darkness 
which covered Europe during the twelve hun- 
dred and sixty years. The beast which came 
up out of the earth m the sight of the prophet, 
symbolizes the United States ; and the two horns 

represent the two foundation principles of 
“= the government, Protestantism and republi- 
- canism. The seed of the Reformation, 
= having been planted in congenial soil, 
“e soon grew into a mighty tree, sheltering 
"the oppressed of all nations. Glorious 

as the sun rising was the establishment 

of the new government. It was a won- 
der to all the world; but when its freedom 
and stability once became known, America 
became the center of progress. All nations 
have been molded, more or less by the example 
of this country. Her constitution has been the 
model for the reorganization of nations, espe- 
cially since 1840. The monarchs of Europe 
were forced to relax their hold upon their sub- 









THE TWO: BEASTS: 


jects, and America is the place toward which 
all eyes have been directed in these crises. 
Even the Orient has relaxed to the warming 
influence of the United States. 

But the world is not yet free from the influ- 
ence of him who was “cast unto the earth,” and 
the dragon, who had worked through each 
preceding nation, works in this. When un- 
able to check the onward march of free- 
dom, as it was started in America, the more 
wary plans, which had been combined in Rome, 
were introduced into America. A government 
by the people, for successful management re- 
quires a constituency educated in the principles 
of both Protestantism and republicanism. The 
schools played a most important part in the 
growth of the constitution, and the educational 
system of the United States has been the real 
support of the nation. 

Gradually, however, the philosophy of Greece 
has, in the education of children and youth, 
almost wholly supplanted the truths of God. 
Graduates to-day are better able to interpret the 
mythology of Greece than they are to read the 
handwriting of the Creator in nature about 
them. They are prepared to believe the false 
theories of scientists in preference to direct 
statements of inspiration. The whole trend of 
their education is evolutionary in character, and 
develops doubt, not faith,—higher criticism in- 
stead of simple faith in the Word of God. The 
organization of society into guilds, trusts, rings, 
corporations, and unions, is a reflection of the 
spirit of the educational system. Monarchy is 
rapidly replacing democratic principles, and the 
dragon’s voice sounds through the earth in the 


239 


Keep therefore and do them ; for 
this is your wisdom and your under- 
standing in the sight of the nations, 
which shall hear all these statutes, 
and say, Surely this great nation is 
a wise and understanding people. 

And what nation is there so great, 
that hath statutes and judgments so 
righteous as all this law, which I 
set before you this day? 

Deut. 4:6, 8. 


Howbeit we speak wisdom among 
them that are perfect: yet not the 
wisdom of this world, nor of the 
princes of this world, that come to 
nought; 

But we speak the wisdom of God 
in a mystery, even the hidden wis- 
dom, which God ordained before 
the world unto our glory : 

Which none of the princes of 
this world knew. 1 Cor. 2:6-8. 


(For the weapons of our warfare 
are not carnal, but mighty through 
God to the pulling down of strong 
holds ;) 

Casting down imaginations, and 
every high thing that exalteth itself 
against the knowledge of God, and 
bringing into captivity every thought 
to the obedience of Christ. 

2) Cor, t0'S4, 5. 


For the Jews require a sign, and 
the Greeks seek after wisdom. 
x Cora tc22- 


Associate yourselves, O ye peo- 
ple, and ye shall be broken in 
pieces ; and give ear, all ye of far 
countries: gird yourselves, and ye 
shall be broken in pieces; gird 
yourselves, and ye shall be broken 
in pieces. 

Take counsel together, and it 
shall come to nought; speak the 
word, and it shall not stand: for 
God is with us. 

For the Lord spake thus to me 
with a strong hand, and instructed 


_me that I should not walk in the 


way of this people, saying, 

Say ye not, A confederacy, to all 
them to whom this people shall say, 
A confederacy ; neither fear ye their 
fear, nor be afraid. Isa. $:9-12. 


Amos 8 : 4-6. 


240 


Go to now, ye rich men, weep 
and howl for your miseries that 
shall come upon you. 

Your riches are corrupted, and 
your garments are motheaten. 

Your gold and silver is cankered ; 
and the rust of them shall be a wit- 
ness against you, and shall eat your 
flesh as it were fire. Ye have 
heaped treasure together for the 
last days. Jas. 5 31-3. 

Ye have lived in pleasure on the 
earth, and been wanton; ye have 
nourished your hearts, as in a day 
of slaughter. 

Ye have condemned and killed 
the just ; and he doth not resist you. 

Jas. 5:5, 6. 

Jas. 5:4. 


And he exerciseth all the power 
of the first beast before him, and 
causeth the earth and them which 
dwell therein to worship the first 
beast, whose deadly wound was 
healed. Rev. 13:12. 


Isa. 19 211-15. 

They did cry there, Pharaoh king 
of Egypt is but a noise; he hath 
passed the time appointed. 

Jer. 46:17. 


And he doeth great wonders, so 
that he maketh fire come down 
from heaven on the earth in the 
sight of men, 

And deceiveth them that dwell 
on the earth by the means of those 
miracles which he had power to do 
in the sight of the beast; saying 
to them that dwell on the earth, 
that they should make an image 
to the beast, which had the wound 
by a sword, and did live. 

Rev. 13; 18, 14, 


For he saith, By the strength of 
my hand I have done it, and by my 
wisdom ; for I am prudent: and I 
have removed the bounds of the 
people, and have robbed their treas- 
ures, and I have put down the in- 
habitants like a valiant man, 

Isa. 103 13. 


STORY OF THE SEER OF PATMOS. 


dictation of the labor unions to their members ; 
in the controllers of the oil and the grain ; in 
the strikes and the exchanges.’ Wall Street 
dictates to thousands ; and the masses pay their 
Peter’s pence to the moneyed classes as surely 
as it was ever exacted in Rome. As the cry of 
the oppressed during the Dark Ages reached 
heaven, so in this day of apparent light and 
progress, and of boasted freedom, the voice of 
oppression is heard. “Behold, the hire of the 
laborers who have reaped down your fields, 
which of you is kept back by fraud, crieth: 
and the cries of them which have reaped 
are entered into the ears of the Lord of 
Sabaoth.” 

America, according to prophecy, would re- 
pudiate the fundamental principles of the nation, 
and from the lamblike beast, the voice of the 
dragon is heard. “And he exerciseth all the 
power of the first beast before him, and causeth 
the earth and them which dwell therein to wor- 
ship the first beast, whose deadly wound was 
healed.” America has already repudiated her 
first principles of liberty. In form, the govern- 
ment remains the same as when established, but 
the spirit and life of the beast speak through 
the form. The life of Protestantism is gone; 
the life of democracy is lost. The professed 
Protestant nation is imitating the papal power 
of Rome, thus forming the image to the beast. 
As time progresses, it will be seen that the 
image will receive, more and more, the life of 
the beast. The return to papal principles in 
Europe, is the partial healing of the wounded 
head; but the fuller development of all the 
powers of that beast, which combined the char- 





THE TWO BEASTS. 


acteristics of Babylon, Persia and Greece, in the 
once free and liberty loving America, will be the 
complete healing of the deadly wound. 

America is the home of Protestantism, but 
her churches to-day are Protestant only in name. 
The exaltation of man above God, the enthron- 
ing of human intellect, the hope of righteous- 
ness by works, the trampling underfoot of the 
law of God,—these are some of the things 
which mark the Protestant churches as daugh- 
ters of the Babylon, which swayed the world 
from her seat at Rome. 

Two things characterize the Remnant people 
during the formation of the image to the beast. 
According to Rev. 12:17, they keep the com- 
mandments of God and have the spirit of 
prophecy. These two characteristics belong to 
all true Protestants, and are presented to 
Protestant denominations for their acceptance 
or rejection. 

As the beast trampled upon the law of God, 
and sought to change times and laws, the image 
to the beast repeats these acts, and passes laws 
enforcing the observance of its mark,—the false 
Sabbath. 

The spirit of prophecy is given to guide the 
church through the darkness; but this is coun- 
terfeited by the working of miracles, and by 
manifestations of a false spirit. Through hu- 
man agents, the devil seeks to imitate the work- 
ings of the Spirit of God; and finally, at the 
very end of time, he appears in person claiming 
to be the Christ. ‘Satan himself is trans- 
formed into an angel of light. Therefore, it is 
no strange thing if his ministers also, be trans- 
formed as the ministers of righteousness.” 

16 


241 


For ye see your calling, brethren. 
how that not many wise men after 
the flesh, not many mighty, not 
many noble, are called: 

But God hath chosen the foolish 
things of the world to confound the 
wise ; and God hath chosen the 
weak things of the world to con- 
found the things which are mighty ; 

And base things of the world, and 
things which are despised, hath God 
chosen, yea, and things which are 
not, to bring to nought things that 
are. t Cor. 1: 26-28. 


This is a rebellious people, lying 
children, children that will not hear 
the law of the Lord : 

Which say to the seers, See not ; 
and to the prophets, Prophesy not 
unto us right things, speak unto us 
smooth things, prophesy deccits : 

Get you out of the way, turn aside 
out of the path, cause the Holy 
One of Israel to cease from be- 
fore us. Isa. 3079-11. 


2 Tim. 3:5. 
Rev. 12:17. 
Rev. 19:10. 
Lam. 2:9. 

1 Thess. 5 :20. 


Ye have also a more sure word 
of prophecy ; whereunto ye do well 
that ye take heed, as unto a light 
that shineth in a dark place, until 
the day dawn, and the day star 
arise in your hearts. 2 Pet. 1:19. 

: 


2 Cor. 11:14. 


For of this sort are they which 
creep into houses, and lead captive 
silly women laden with sins, led 
away with divers lusts, 

Ever learning, and never able to 
come to the knowledge of the truth. 

Now as Jannes and Jambres with- 
stood Moses, so do these also resist 
the truth: men of corrupt minds, 
reprobate concerning the faith. 

2 Tim. 3:6-8, * 


242 STORY 


Matt. 24:24. 

Then Herod, when he saw that 
he was mocked of the wise men, 
was exceeding wroth, and sent 
forth, and slew all the children that 
were in Bethlehem, and in all the 
coasts thereof, from two years old 
and under, according to the time 
which he had diligently enquired of 
the wise men. 

Then was fulfilled that which was 
spoken by Jeremy the prophet, say- 
ing, 

In Rama was there a voice heard, 
lamentation, and weeping, and 
great mourning, Rachel weeping for 
her children, and would not be com- 
forted, because they are not. 

Matt. 2 : 16-18. 


Heb. 12:2. 
Heb. 8:1. 


I saw three unclean spirits like 
frogs come out of the mouth of the 
dragon, and out of the mouth of the 
beast, and out of the mouth of the 
false prophet. 

For they are the spirits of devils, 
working miracles, which go forth 
unto the kings of the earth and of 
the whole world, to gather them to 
the battle of that great day of God 
Almighty. Rev. 16:13, 14. 

Rev. 13 213, 14. 

Rev. 19:20. 


And he had power to give life 
unto the image of the beast, that 
the image of the beast should both 
speak, and cause that as many as 
would not worship the image of 
the beast should 6e killed. 

Rev, 13:16, 


Dan. 6:8. 


The letters were sent by posts 
into all the king’s provinces, to de- 
stroy, to kill, and to cause to per- 
ish, all Jews, both young and old, 
little children and women, in one 
day, even upon the thirteenth day 
of the twelfth month, which is the 
month Adar, and to take the spoil 
of them fora prey. Esther 3 :13. 


If any man worship the beast and 
his image, and receive his mark in 
his forehead, or in his hand. 

‘ Rey, 14:9. 





OF THE SEER: OF PATMOS, 


Through his human instruments, he will have 
power to make fire come down from heaven in 
the sight of men. “There shall arise false 
Christs, and false prophets, and shall show great 
signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were 
possible, they shall deceive the very elect.” 
These are the Saviour’s own words, spoken as 
He looked forward to the time of His second 
appearing. : 

At the birth of the Son of God, the dragon ~ 
stood ready to devour the Child. When the 
Child was caught up into heaven, the dragon 
drove the woman (the church) into the wilder- 
ness. His last and most daring act, will be, 
coming to the earth in person, clothed in gar- 
ments of light, and claiming to be the Saviour. 
For this final scene, the work of Spiritualism, 
which, in its modern forms, arose in the United 
States, is now preparing the world. When 
Satan thus appears, he demands the life of all 
who have not the mark of the beast, and who 
refuse to worship his image. The tyranny of 
government will be complete. It will be as the 
laws of the Medes and Persians, from which 
there was no appeal. The decree of Xerxes, 
which demanded the slaying of all the Jews, on 
one day, throughout all the realm, in the days 
of Queen Esther, will be repeated by the 
powers that be, and the lives of the followers of 
God, those who have received His mark,—the 
seal of His law,—will be demanded. 

Not only in the forehead, as a sign of accept- 
ance, but also in the hand, as typical of actual 
service for the “beast,” the mark will be re- 
quired. There will be no spot too secluded for 
that power to reach. The present perfection of 


THE TWO. BEASTS. 


organization, the census taking, the enrollment 
for voting, etc., bring every individual under 
the eye of the government as truly as the 
enrollment of Augustus Cesar, the taxgatherer 
of Rome, brought the parents of Jesus to the 
attention of 
the nation. 

Once .1t 
would have 
seemed im- 
possible to so 
boycott a 
class of indi- 
viduals that 
they could 
neither buy 
nor sell, but the history of recent years shows 
that this has been done by the labor unions of 
our large cities. This perplexing situation grows 
steadily worse, and the end is given only by the 
divine recorder. 

The history of the beast 1s given again and 
again, that God’s people may know what to 
expect of the image to the beast. As the beast 
bore sway over the known world in its day, so 
the image will set the example to the world in 
the end of time. America once took- the lead 
in propagating the principles of religious and 
civil freedom; to-day that nation leads the 
world in its strife for power and recognition, 
and the very principles of its own Declaration 
of Independence are overridden in dealing with 
subject provinces. Rome has been portrayed 
from all sides, and so definitely described 
that it cannot be mistaken. When the image 
is compared with the real, in the thirteenth 


243 


Luke 2:1. 


And he causcth all, both small 
and great, rich and poor, free and 
bond, to receive a mark in their 
right hand, or in their foreheads: 

And that no man might buy or 
sell, save he that had the mark, 





Joseph and Mary on the way to Bethlehem. 


or the name of the beast, or the 
number of his name. 
Rev. 13; 16, 17. 


Eccl, 1:9, 10. 
Isa. 24:2. 


The time is come, the day draw- 
eth near: let not the buyer rejoice, 
nor the seller mourn: for wrath is 
uponall the multitude thereof. 

Eze. 7 3x2. 


For that the dream was doubled 
unto Pharaoh twice ; it is because 
the thing is established by God, and 
God will shortly bring it to pass. 

Gen. 41:32. 


He exerciseth all the power of 
the first beast before him, and caus- 
eth the earth and them which dwell 
therein to worship the first beast, 
whose deadly wound was healed. 

Rev. 13:12. 


244 


Here is wisdom. Let him that 
hath understanding count the 
number of the beast: for it is the 
number of a man; and his num- 
ber is Six hundred threescore and 
six. Rev. 13:18. 


VICARIUS FILII DEI. 


Vv 
I 
Cc 
A 
R 
I Oi 
U 
s 
F 
I 
L 
I 
I 
D 
E 
I 





Know ye not, that to whom ye 
yield yourselves servants to obey, 
his servant ye are to whom ye obey. 

Rom. 6 : 16, 


Dan. 12:1. 
Rey. 12:12, 13. 


Yea, all kings shall fall down be- 


fore*him, Psa. 72:11. 


At the noise of the tumult the 
people fled ; at the lifting up of thy- 
self the nations were scattered. 

Isa. 33 23- 

I saw as it were a sea of glass 
mingled with fire: and them that 
had gotten the victory over the 
beast, and over his image, and over 
his mark, and over the number of 
his name, stand on the sea of glass, 
having the harps of God. 

Rev, 15:2. 


The judgment shall sit, and they 
shall take away his dominion, to 
consume and to destroy it unto the 
end. Dan. 7 :26, 27. 


STORY OF THE SEER OF PATMOS: 


chapter of Revelation, the very number, six — 
hundred and sixty-six, which is worn on the 
insignia of the head of the papal hierarchy, is 
given, that men may be left without excuse. 
He who is acknowledged as the vicegerent of 
the Son of God (Vicarius Filit Det), in his 
name carries the number six hundred and sixty- 
six, for the sum of the numerical value of the 
Roman letters in his title, equals that number. 
That power which again exalts man above the 
God of heaven, forms the image to the beast, 
and bears the number of his name. 

The time of trouble, spoken of by Daniel, is 
right upon the world. ‘The devil is come 
down unto you, having great wrath, because he 
knoweth that he hath but a short time.” 

Nations have risen, and fallen, in the contro- 
versy between Christ and Satan; but the last 
leading nation to arise is now in existence; 
it will be the battlefield for the final strug- 
gle. From its borders, will be heralded the 
last great message, and from its people will 
be gathered a remnant church. The members 
of this church will join with those of other coun- 
tries, who, in the very presence of the beast, 
stand true to the God of heaven and earth when 
the Saviour comes to receive His subjects. 

The time of the fall of all nations approaches. 
They will be succeeded by the kingdom of God. 
Christ and the Father will reign forever, and 
the subjects will be those who have developed a 
character in harmony with Jehovah; and they 
will have done this when surrounded on all sides 
by the concentrated iniquity of Babylon, Persia, 
Greece, and Rome. Lucifer claimed that it 
was impossible to serve God in heaven. The 


THE TWO BEASTS. 248 


controversy closes when it has been demon-  whoisa God like unto thee, that 

strated, before the universe, that it is possible Fyne gut ind Pan 

to serve God, and obey His law on the enemy’s of his heritage? he retaineth not 
; = 3 : : 5 his anger for ever, because he de- 

ground, and in the midst of all the evil which it jighteth in mercy. Micah 7:13. 

is possible for him to invent. Such is the 

power of our God. May “Thy kingdom come, Who is God save the Lord? or 


who is a rock save our God? 


Thy will be done in earth as it is in heaven.” Psa. 18:31. 


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CHAPTER Sa: 


THE THREE ANGELS’ MESSAGES. 


And | looked, and, lo, a Lamb 
stood on the mount Sion, and with 
him an hundred forty and four 
thousand, having his Father’sname 
written in their foreheads. 

Rev. 14:1. 

Isa. 51:1. 

And after these things I saw four 
angels standing on the four corners 
of the earth, holding the four winds 
of the earth, that the wind should 
not blow on the earth, nor on the 
sea,noronanytree. Rev. 7:1. 


Zech. 7 : 14. 
Rev. 74: 


I saw one of his heads as it were 
wounded to death; and his deadly 
wound was healed: and all the 
world wondered after the beast. 

Rev. 13:3. 


He had power to give life unto 
the image of the beast, that the 
image of the beast should both 
speak, and cause that as many as 
would not worship the image of the 
beast should be killed. 

Rev. 13:15. 


Except those days should be 
shortened, there should no fesh be 
saved: but for the elect’s sake 
those days shall be shortened. 

Matt. 24:22. 


246 


AFTER the strife and the turmoil of the great 
controversy, in which the oppression of the 
seven headed beast was followed by the lamb- 
like government,—the government which formed 
an image to the beast, and caused all men to 
worship the beast, or the image, John had his 
attention called to scenes where the conflict was 
all ended. The One whom Lucifer had held 
before the eyes of the world as a cruel despot, 
stands a Lamb on Mount Zion. He is no 
longer the slain Lamb once seen before the 
throne, but the King in His beauty, the true 
Conqueror, who has triumphed by the power of 
truth. He, who might have uttered a single 
word, and the enemy of truth would have been 
blotted out of existence, chose rather to be 
exalted through suffering. Love is the ruler of 
the universe; “love never faileth,” and through 
six thousand years of conflict, it has come forth 
victorious with garments unsullied. The Lamb 
stood on Mount Zion, where the city of the 
living God stands. There in the heavenly 


. THE THREE ANGELS’ MESSAGES. - 


temple, the work of the sanctuary is carried on. 
Christ entered the first apartment when He 
ascended from earth and presented His own 
blood for a lost race. In 1844 the door into 
the inner apartment was opened, and Christ and 
the Father then took up the cases of those 
whose names appeared in the Book of Life. 
While Christ is still in that apartment, the 
closing events of chapter thirteen take place. 
The sealing, as described in the seventh chapter 
of Revelation, is going forward, while the beast 
and his image, the ruling powers of earth, are 
striving to gain the recognition of all. The 
interest of heaven centers in those few who 
receive the mark of the great Jehovah. In fact, 
this little company, numbering one hundred and 
forty-four thousand, is the most interesting 
class of people brought to view in the Word of 
God. John, in the opening verse of chapter 
fourteen, sees them as they gather about the 
Saviour on Mount Zion. God’s Word traces 
their history very minutely. 

In the year 1848, the four angels of the 
seventh chapter of Revelation took their stand 
upon the four corners of the earth, to hold the 
winds of strife until the servants of God were 
sealed. “And there were sealed an hundred 
and forty and four thousand.” Between 1798 
and the close of time, the wound of the beast is 
fully healed, and he renews his work of op- 
pression through the powers of the earth. In 
America the image to the beast is formed, and 
given life within that same period; and it exer- 
ciseth all the power of the first beast before it. 
Its special work of oppression is against those 
who have received the seal of God in the fore- 


247 


The field is the world ; the good 
seed are the children of the king- 
dom ; but the tares are the children 
of the wicked one. Matt. 13 :38. 

Likewise, I say unto you, there is 
joy in the presence of the angels of 
God over one sinner that repenteth. 

Luke 15: 10, 


Deut. 3 : 11. 


Where sin abounded, grace did 
much more abound : 

That as sin hath reigned unto 
death, even so might grace reign 
through righteousness unto eternal 
life by Jesus Christ our Lord. 

Rom. 5:20, 21. 


I m them, and thou in me, that 
they may be made perfect in one; 
and that the world may know that 
thou hast sent me, and hast loved 
them, as thou hast loved me. 

John 17 :23. 


When he was strong, his heart 
was lifted up to his destruction: 
for he transgressed against the Lord 
his God. 2 Chron. 26:16. 


The Lord will give strength unto 
his people ; the Lord will bless his 
people with peace. 

Psa. 29: 11. 


1 Kings 19: 12, 13. 


Mark the perfect man, and be- 
hold the upright: for the end of 
that man is peace. Psa. 37 237+ 


Thinkest thou that I cannot now 
pray to my Father, and he shall 
presently give me more than twelve 
legions of angels? Matt. 26:53. 


248 STORY 


Psaiirnitigs 
Heb. 9:24. 
Gal. 3 : 6-8. 


I will clothe him with thy robe, 
and strengthen him with thy girdle, 
and I will commit thy government 
into his hand: and he shall be a 
father to the inhabitants of Jerusa- 
lem, and to the house of Judah. 

And the key of the house of Da- 
vid willI lay upon his shoulder ; 
so he shall open, and none shall 
shut; and he shall shut, and none 
shall open. Isa, 22:21, 22. 


Rey. 20:12. 
Rev. 3:5. 
Eze. 9:4. 


I heard the number of them which 
were sealed: and there were sealed 
an hundred and forty and four thou- 
sand of all the tribes of the children 
of Israel.. 

And I said unto him, Sir, thou 
knowest. And he said to me, These 
are they which came out of great 
tribulation, and have washed their 
robes, and made them white in the 
blood of the Lamb. 

Therefore are they before the 
throne of God, and serve him day 
and night in his temple: and he 
that sitteth on the throne shall dwell 
amongthem. Rev. 7:4, 14, 15. 


For both he that sanctifieth and 
they who are sanctified are all of 
one: for which cause he is not 
ashamed to call them brethren, 

Saying, I will declare thy name 
unto my brethren, in the midst of 
the church will I sing praise unto 
thee. Heb. 2:11, 12. 


Psa. 48:2. 


For thou hast said in thine heart, 
I will ascend into heaven, I will 
exalt my throne above the stars of 
God: I will sit also upon the 
mount of the congregation, in the 
sides of the north. Isa. 14: 13. 


OF THE SEER OF PATMOS. 


head. America and the European nations con- 
trol the world, and were it not that the winds of 
strife are restrained by the four mighty angels, 
time would end before the sealing work is 
accomplished. But among all nations, and unto 
every tribe and language, the sealing angel 
makes his way. As far as the gospel of truth 
is proclaimed, so wide is the field from which he 
gathers. The interest of all heaven is centered 
in his work. When one compares the last 
race on earth with man as he came forth in 
strength and grandeur from the hand of his 
Creator, the work of redemption seems more 
wonderful than ever. From degraded, degen- 
erate humanity, reeking with disease and crime; 
God chooses the last little company who, 
because of the soul communion which they have 
had with Him, will have characters which admit 
them into the closest relationship with their 
Maker. 
minds, and many worship Him outwardly ; only 
the few pass through Gethsemane with the 
Christ ; but those who do know the realities of 
spiritual life, receive the name of the Father in 
their foreheads. These are the one hundred 
and forty-four thousand,—the chosen company, 
who reveal to the fullest extent the depths of 
redeeming love. John saw these surrounding 
the Saviour on the Mount of God,—“ the mount 
of the congregation, in the sides of the North,” 
where Satan once stood, and where he at- 
tempted to raise a throne for himself. 
hundred and forty-four thousand occupy the 
place once filled by Lucifer and his angels. Oh 
what a commentary to the universe on the 
glorious triumph of truth over error! of love 
over selfishness ! 


Many acknowledge Jehovah in their 


The one — 


THE THREE ANGELS’ MESSAGES. 


These men were redeemed from the earth, 
from among men,—the first fruits unto God and 
the Lamb. They have been snatched as brands 
from the burming. “They were not defiled 
with women; for they are virgins.” The 
prophet Isaiah, in describing the condition of 
the churches in the days when the sealing work 
is in progress, says: “In that day seven women 
shall take hold of one man, saying, We will eat 
our own bread, and wear our own apparel: only 
let us be called by thy name, to take away our 
reproach.” The church is represented by a 
woman ; and the relation of Christ to the true 
church, as the relation of the husband to his 
wife. The husband gives his name to the wife, 
and supplies her food and raiment ; but apostate 
churches, while claiming the name of Christ, 
(Christian), eat their own bread and wear their 
own apparel, spurning the instruction Christ 
has given concerning the food and raiment of 
His bride. But the redeemed will be as vir- 
gins, undefiled, and Christ will present them to 
the Father as chaste virgins. During the last 
days the earth will be drunk with the wine of 
fornication offered by Babylon and her. daugh- 
ters, and the sealing angel places the name of 
the Father on the foreheads of those who turn 
from the world and all it offers. It will be 
known that bands of angels overshadow those 
who are pure in soul. “The Lord will create 
upon every [such] dwelling place of Mount 
Zion, and upon her assemblies, a cloud and 
smoke by day, and the shining of a flaming fire 
by night: for above all, the glory shall be a 
covering.” In the secret of His ‘tabernacle 
He will hide them till the indignation be over- 
past. 


249 


Zech. 3 :2. 
Rev. 14:4. 
Isa. 4:1. 


Jer. 6:2. 

2 Cor. 11:2. 
Eph. 5:23. 
Isa. 5424, 5. 


APPAREL OF THE APOSTATE WIFE 
OF CHRIST. 
Isa. 3:16-24. Fashions of the 
world, 
Isa. 64:6. Self-righteousness. 


APPAREL OF THE TRUE WIFE. 

1 Pet.3:1-5. Free from unnec- 
essary ornaments. 

1 Tim. 2:9, 10. Modest apparel. 

Isa. 61:10. Robe of righteous- 
ness. 


DIET OF THE APOSTATE WIFE OF 
CHRIST. 
Isa: 65:3, 4. Swine’s flesh. 
Isa. 66:17. Swine’s flesh. 
Isa. 22:12-14. Flesh of sheep 
and oxen. 
Prov. 23:20. Wine and flesh. 
Prov. 23 :29-32. -Mixed wine. 
Eze. 22:26-28. Traditions. 


DIET OF THE TRUE WIFE. 


Gen. 1:29. Fruits, nuts, and 
grains. 
Lev. 1121-28. Clean food. 


John6:51,63. Feed on the Word 
of God. 

xr Tim. 4:15. 
Word. 

Psa. 119:103. God’s Word sweet 
to the taste. 


Meditate on the 


Psa. 27 25. 


Come, my people, enter thou into 
thy chambers, and shut thy doors 
about thee : hide thyself as it were 
for a little moment, until the indig 
nation be overpast. Isa. 26:20. 


250 


The remnant of Israel shall not 
do iniquity, nor speak lies ; neither 
shall a deceitful tongue be found in 
their mouth : for they shall feed and 
lie down, and none shall make them 
afraid. Zeph. 3 : 13. 

Ex. 4:15, 16. 


Iam crucified with Christ: nev- 
ertheless I live; yet not I, but 
Christ liveth in me: and the life 
which I now live in the flesh I live 
by the faith of the Son of God, who 
loved me, and gave himself for me. 

Gal. 2 :20.. 

By faith Enoch was translated 
that he should not see death; and 
was not found, because God had 
translated him : for before his trans- 
lation he had this testimony, that he 
pleased God. Heb. 11:5. 


In his days Judah shall be saved, 
and Israel shall dwell safely: and 
this is his name whereby he shall 
be called, THE LORD OUR 
RIGHTEOUSNESS. 

. Jer. 23 :6. 

He answered and spake unto those 
that stood before him, saying, Take 
away the filthy garments from him. 
And unto him he said, Behold, I 
have caused thine iniquity to pass 
from thee, and I will clothe thee 
with change of raiment. 

And I said, Let them set a fair 
mitre upon his head. So they seta 
fair mitre upon his head, and clothed 
him with garments. And the angel 
of the Lord stood by. 

And the angel of the Lord pro- 
tested unto Joshua, saying, 

Thus saith the Lord of hosts ; If 
thou wilt walk in my ways, and if 
thou wilt keep my charge, then thou 
shalt also judge my house, and shalt 
also keep my courts, and I will give 
thee places to walk among these 
that stand by. 

Hear now, O Joshua the high 
priest, thou, and thy fellows that sit 
before thee : for they are men won- 
dered at: for, behold, I will bring 
forth my servant the BRANCH. 

Zech. 3 :4-8. 

The soul of my lord shall be 
bound ‘n the bundle of life with the 
Lord thy God. 1 Sam, 25 :29. 


STORY OF THE SEER OF PATMOS. 


In their mouth was found no guile; for the 
soul temple had been so thoroughly cleansed 
before leaving earth that the human mouth 
became a channel for the words of God. When 
the mind of Christ takes full possession of a 
man, he thinks and speaks and acts as Christ 
Himself would act. Mortals may have such 
close and constant communion with Jehovah 
that they have the assurance that they walk 
with Him. This was the Christ-life while on 
earth, and He lived to show that the same is 
also possible to-day. This will be the mind of 
those who are sealed. They are without fault; 
because Christ’s righteousness covers them as a 
garment. Walking untainted in the midst of 
self-righteousness, these have been clothed with 
the heavenly garments. Associated with those 
whose mouths are full of guile, these have been 
free from guile. They overcame by the blood. 
of the Lamb. What wonder that they can sing 
a song in which no other beings can unitc! 
They are given a place next to Christ; they 
alone of the redeemed can enter the temple. 
The new name which each one receives is there 
graven on a living tablet of stone, and they 
become pillars in that temple of life ; living © 
stones of a spiritual house. In that heavenly 
service they are called pillars, as James and 
Cephas by their faithfulness were termed pillars 
in the earthly church ; and when the Lamb goes 
from place to place, this company follow Him 
as a trophy of grace. They are one with Him, 
as He is one with the Father; and being one, 
their souls are inseparably knit together. No 
power can separate them; for expericnce has 
made them what they are; and throughout 


THE THREE ANGELS’ MESSAGES. 


eternity, they minister to Jehovah, showing 
forth forever the depths of redeeming love. 

Listening, John heard music from the Holy 
Mount; for this company are clothed in white 
and wear crowns of gold, and have harps in their 
hands. Music, such as mortal ear never heard, 
comes from those harps swept by the hands of 
the redeemed. Music is the voice of inspira- 
tion,—the melody of a soul when it communes 
with the great Spirit of life. Those who have 
known Him best will bring forth the clearest 
notes from the instruments, and each chord will 
tell the history of 
their lives. Their 
voices blend with 
these strains. In 
talking, the voices 
of Christ and His 
company sound 
as the voice of 
many waters. The 
melody is beyond 
description. 

Entering the 
temple, the one hundred and forty-four thou- 
sand sing a new song before the throne and 
before the four beasts and before the four 
and twenty elders. Song, with the redeemed, 
is not only the repetition of words, but the 
pouring forth of the inmost soul. Only he 
who knows of soul-development can tune his 
voice to the melody of heaven. And of all the 
choirs which make heaven’s arches ring, none 
compare with the music which issues from this 
little company. No other voice can jcin thcir 
song. Heaven is silent as they lift their voices, 
and tell the story of their redemption. 


251 


If we be dead with him, we shall 
also live with him: 

If we suffer, we shall also reign 
with him: if we deny him, he also 
will deny us. 2 Tim. 2:11, 12. 

t Cor. 2:9, 10. 

Rev. 15:3, 4- 

The Lord thy God in the midst 
of thee is mighty ; he will save, he 
will rejoice over thee with joy; he 
will rest in his love, he will joy 
over thee with singing. 

Zeph. 3:17. 


And | heard a voice from heaven, 
as the voice of many waters, and 
as the voice of a great thunder: 
and! heard the voice of harpers 
harping with their harps: 





Music, such as mortal ear never heard comes from those harps 
swept by the hands of the redeemed. 


And they sung as it were a new 
song before the throne, and before 
the four beasts, and the elders: 
and no man could learn that song 
but the hundred and forty and four 
thousand, which were redeemed 
from the earth. 

These are they which were not 
defiled with women; for they are 
virgins. These are they which fol- 
low the Lamb whithersoever he 
goeth. These were redeemed from 
among men, being the firstfruits 
unto God and to the Lam5. 

And in their mouth was found no 
guile; for they are without fault 
before the throne of Ged. 

Rev, 14; 2-6. 


252 STORY 


Deut. 34: 1-7. 

Rev. 14:13. 

Yet Michael the archangel, when 
contending with the devil he dis- 
puted about the body of Moses, 
durst not bring against him a rail- 
ing accusation, but said, The Lord 
rebuke thee. Jude 9. 


Many of them that sleep in the 
dust of the earth shall awake, some 
to everlasting life, and some to 
shame and everlasting contempt. 

Dan. 12:2. 


I the Lord wil] be their God, and 
my servant David a prince among 
them ; I the Lord have spoken it. 

And I will make with thema cov- 
snant of peace, and will cause the 
evil beasts to cease out of the land: 
and they shall dwell safely in the 
wilderness, and sleep in the woods. 

= Eze. 34:24, 25. 

For the Lord himself shall de- 
scend from heaven with a shout, 
with the voice of the archangel, and 
with the trump of God: and the 
dead in Christ shall rise first : 

Then we which are alive and re- 
main shall be caught up together 
with them in the clouds, to meet 
the Lord in the air: and so shall 
we ever be with the Lord. 

1 Thess. 4:16, 17. 

This gospel of the kingdom shall 
be preached in all the world for a 
witness unto all nations; and then 
shalltheendcome. Matt. 24: 14. 


And! saw another angel fiy in 
the midst of heaven, having the 
everlasting gospel to preach unto 
them that dwell on the earth, and 
to every nation, and kindred, and 
tongue, and people. 

Saying with a loud voice, Fear 
God, and give glory to him; for 
the hour of his judgment is come: 
and worship him that made heaven, 
and earth, and the sea, and the 
fountains of waters. 

Rev. 14:6, 7. 


Rev. 10 36. 


OF THE SEER OF PATMOS. 


Their song is called the song of Moses and 
the Lamb. Moses, the servant of God, who 
gazed into the land of promise from the height 
of Pisgah, and then lay down to sleep on the 
very borders of the inheritance, is the type of 
those who in the closing message look into 
eternity, but lie down in the grave until the 
appearing of their Lord. Christ Himself came 
to earth, and claimed the body of Moses. He 
did not wait until all came from their graves. 
So those who have fallen asleep, having the seal 
ot God, will have a special resurrection, and will 
be called forth to hear the covenant of peace, 
and to behold their Lord as He comes in the 
clouds of heaven. These join their voices with 
those who tell their life story of Christ the 
Lamb,—a story of sacrifice and love. “ Great 
and marvelous are Thy works, Lord God Al- 
mighty,’ and the response comes, “Just and 
true are Thy ways, Thou King of saints.” 
This is a song of “victory over the beast, and 
over his image, and over his mark, and over the 
number of his name.” Standing on the crystal 
sea, resplendent with the glory of God, they 
sing the songs of soul union with Jehovah. 
This is the consummation of the history as 
related in the thirteenth chapter of Revelation. 

With the sixth verse of chapter fourteen 
begins a view of the last work of the Gospel in 
the earth. A glimpse of the spread of truth 
during the last days is given in the tenth 
chapter. Rev. 14:6-12 is a further develop- 
ment of the message given by the mighty angel 
which came down from heaven, and stood upon 
the earth with an open book of prophecy in his 
hand. This angel proclaimed that time should 





THE THREE ANGELS’ MESSAGES. 


be no more, and the prophetic time to which he 
referred was the twenty-three hundred days 
of Daniel 8:14. The message was given be- 
tween 1833 and 1844. When the twenty-three 
hundred days closed in 1844, Christ entered the 
second apartment of the heavenly sanctuary. 
When this change was about to take place in 
heaven, God commissioned an angel to fly earth- 
ward with a message to mankind that eS 
would prepare the human heart for S 
the closing work on the earth. The 
angel flew in the midst of heaven, that 
the divine word which he brought might 
be heard by all the world; for the mes- 
sage was universal. He carried the 
everlasting Gospel to every nation, kin- 
dred, tongue, and people. Every 
habitable portion of the globe was 
overshadowed by his wings; the 
most secluded peoples were awak- 
ened by his loud voice as he cried, 
“Fear God, and give glory to Him; ' 
for the hour of His judgment is come.” 
The everlasting Gospel, the power of God 
unto salvation, has been the point of controversy 
since the days of Eden. This is the same ever- 
lasting Gospel, which was covered up by the 
corruption of the antediluvians. The earth was 
destroyed, and the gospel promises were renewed 
to Noah and his sons, the bow in the clouds 
being the token of the everlasting covenant. 
In the time of Babylonian supremacy it was the 
avowed object of Satan to hide the everlasting 
Gospel beneath a flood of false worship; and 
thus through all time and all powers, the Gospel 
of Jesus Christ has been trampled down, and 


253 


Into the second went the high 
priest alone once every year, not 
without blood, which he ofered for 
himself, and for the errors of the 
people: 

It was therefore necessary that 
the patterns of things in the heav- 
ens should be purified with these ; 


_but the heavenly things themselves 


















**Fear God, and give glory 
to Him: for the hour ef His 
judgment is come.’’ 


with better sacrifices than these. 
Heb. 9:7, 235 24. 
He said unto them, Go ye into 
all the world, and preach the gospel 
to every creature. Mark 16:15. 


254 STORY 


Tt came to pass, that after three 
days they found him in the temple, 
sitting in the’ midst of the doctors, 
both bearing them, and asking them 
questions. 

And all that heard him were 
astonished at his understanding and 
answers. Luke 2 : 46, 47. 


He answered and said unto them, 
Why do ye also transgress the com- 
mandment of God by your tradition? 

Matt. 15 :3-6. 





Therefore we ought to give the 
more earnest heed to the things 
which we have heard, lest at any 
time we should let them run out as 
leaking vessels. 
Heb. 2:1 [margin.] 
Blow ye the trumpet in Zion, and 
sound an alarm in my holy moun- 
tain : let all the inhabitants of the 
land tremble: for the day of the 
Lord cometh, for it is nigh at hand. 
Joel2:x. 
For with thee is the fountain of 
life : in thy light shall we see light. 
Psa. 36:9. 


OF THE SEER OF PATMOS. 


man alone exalted. Christ put ina new setting, 
the truths which had been made known by 
prophets and typified by. the Jewish services. 
Even as.a child of twelve, in the presence of 
the learned doctors in the temple, the questions 
He asked, flashed new light upon Scriptures 
often used by those teachers of the Jewish 
False doctrines had been introduced, 
and the traditions, of men had been accepted by 
the world until the everlast- 
ing Gospel was unknown. 
The sixteenth century Ref- 
ormation was a revival of 
truth. Ministers and teach- 
ers saw light and beauty in 
the Scriptures. Again the 
living seed was sown, and 
Protestantism, was seen to 
be trees of the Lord’s own 
planting.. But scarcely. had 
the living trees begun to yield 
fruit, when they were encir- 
cled by a parasitic vine. It 
crept round and round until 
its branches took the form of 
the growing tree. It spread 
its green leaves to the air 
until passers-by admired the 
foliage, but the tree had been 
choked to death, and stood a 
mere support for a stolen life. When this vine of 
error was steadily growing about Protestantism, 
especially in America, the angel flew in the midst 
of heaven, proclaiming the everlasting Gospel. 
Men, startled by the proclamation that time was 
about to close, turned to the Word of God for 


nation. 


THE THREE ANGELS’ MESSAGES. 


truth. The book of Daniel was studied as 
never before in the history of the world. The 
culminating point was the fourteenth verse of 
the eighth chapter. Unto two thousand and 
three hundred days ; then shall the sanctuary be 
cleansed.” Careful study revealed that this 
prophetic period ended in the year 1844. In 
the one hundred and forty-five times the word 
“sanctuary”? is used in the Bible, it does not 
once refer to the earth, yet they understood the 
sanctuary of Dan. 8:14 to be this earth. With 
this interpretation in mind they made the verse 
read, “‘ Unto two thousand and three hundred 
days ; then shall the’ Lord come.” Wm. Miller, 
in America, Edward Irving, in England, Joseph 
Wolff, in Asia, with hundreds of colaborers, 
heralded to the world the glad news of the 
Saviour’s return. 

When the autumn of 1844 passed and the 
Saviour did not come, bitter sorrow filled the 
hearts of the people. Some lost their faith and 
turned to the world; but others said, “There is 
a mistake somewhere, God is true and faithful, 
the mistake must be on our part.” While 
searching the Scriptures prayerfully, light from 
the heavenly sanctuary flashed into their minds. 
As they turned their eyes heavenward, by faith 
they saw the heavenly temple, and realized that 
they had truthfully given the message, “The 
hour of His.judgment is come”; for Christ 
entered the most holy place of the heavenly 
sanctuary, at the end of the two thousand three 
hundred days and commenced the work of the 
investigative judgment. 

The message went to the world; there was 
not a missionary station in the earth, where they 


255 


Thou, O Daniel, shut up the 
words, and seal the book, even to 
the time of the end: many shall run 
to and fro, and knowledge shall be 
increased. Dan. 12:4. 


Study to shew thyself approved 
unto God, a workman that needeth 
not to be ashamed, rightly dividing 
the word of truth. 2 Tim. 2:15. 


Behold, the Lord cometh with 
ten thousands of his saints, 

To execute judgment upon all, 
and to convince all that are ungodly 
among them of all their ungodly 
deeds which they have ungodly 
committed, and of all their hard 
speeches which ungodly sinners 
have spoken against him. 

Jude 14, 15. 


The temple of God was opened 
in heaven, and there was seen in his 
temple the ark of his testament. 

Rey. 11: 19. 


For Christ is not entered into the 
holy places made with hands, which 
are the figures of the true ; but into 
heaven itself, now to apoear in the 
presence of God for us. 

Heb. 9:24. 


256 


When he was come nigh, even 
now at the descent of the mount of 
Olives, the whole multitude of the 
disciples began to rejoice and praise 
God with a loud voice for all the 
mighty works that they had seen; 

Saying, Blessed be the King that 
cometh in the name oi the Lord: 
peace in heaven, and glory in the 
highest. Luke 19:37, 38 


And there followed another an- 
gel, saying, Babylon is fallen, is 
fallen, that great city, because 
she made all nations drink of the 
wine of the wrath of her fornica- 
tion. Rev, 14:8. 


The Spirit and the bride say, 
Come. And let him that heareth 
say, Come. And let him that is 
athirst come. And whosoever will, 
let him take the water of life freely. 

Rev. 22:17. 


At midnight there wasa cry made, 
Behold, the bridegroom cometh; 
go ye out to meet him, 

Then all those virgins arose, and 
trimmed their lamps. 

Matt. 25:6, 7. 


STORY OF THE SEER OF PATMOS. 


did not hear the message, “The hour of His 
judgment is come.” Some may inquire, “ Why 
was the message of Christ’s coming given at 
that time?” We may also ask, “ Why did Christ 
permit His followers to escort Him into Jerusa- 
lem, intending to crown Him as King, when He 
knew He was going there to be crucified?” 
His followers fulfilled the prophecy of Zech. 9:9. 
If they had known the truth they could not have 
given the shouts of rejoicing that fulfilled the 
prophecy. Likewise, the announcement of the 
opening of the judgment was to be given with a 
loud voice to the whole world. If the people of 
God had understood all at first they would never 
have given the message with power. 

This is the first angel’s message of the four- 
teenth chapter of Revelation, and it will con- 
tinue to sound till time shall close. In 
1843 and 1844 it swelled into the loud cry by 
the added voice of the angel with the time 
message. In the very end of time, when 
oppression is again almost unbearable, just 
before the close of probation, it will again swell 
into aloud cry. In the meantime, the message 
of the first angel goes steadily forward, and 
those whose ears are listening for a voice from 
heaven, will join in giving the everlasting Gospel. 

While the first angel continues to sound, a 
second angel follows saying, “ Babylon is fallen, 
is fallen, that great city, because she made all 
nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her 
fornication.” The preaching of the everlasting 
Gospel was a test of life. Those who truly 
loved the Saviour rejoiced to hear that His 
second advent was near and hastened to prepare 
for His coming, but many turned a deaf ear to 


the call of the first angel. The love of the 
world had so benumbed their sense of spiritual 
things that they could even scoff at the idea of 
the Saviour’s return. 

The preaching of the first angel’s message 
drew a line among the professed followers of the 
Lord. Over those who showed they had lost 
their love for Christ by disregarding the mes- 
sage of His return, the angel pronounced the 
words, “Babylon is fallen, is fallen.” Those 
who longed for a higher spiritual development, 
drank of the pure water of life, as g-ven by the 
first angel; but in the hands of the church, a 
golden cup was filled with the wine of fornica- 
tion; and, in place of offering the life-giving 
drink from the fountain, the churches, when the 
time passed in 1844, closed their doors against 
the everlasting Gospel; and ministers gave their 
flocks to drink of the wine of fornication,—a 
mixture of truth and error, which like any 
intoxicant, benumbs the sensibilities, and causes 
him who drinks to turn from that which would 
revive. 

Babylon, the universal kingdom which offered 
the worship of idols for the worship of Jehovah, 
is used by the Spirit to symbolize the churches, 
which, like the Jewish nation in the days of 
Christ, mix the philosophy of the world with 
the truth of God, and offer this wine to men 
in place of the everlasting Gospel. The 
church which does this, realizes its inability 
to reach the souls of men, and unites with the 
state and attempts to compel the conscience. 
There is a form of godliness, but no power 
therein. This is the papacy renewed, the 
making of an image to the beast. “Babylon is 


17 


THE THREE ANGELS’ MESSAGES. 


257 


Therefore thus saith the Lord 
God unto them ; Behold, I, even I, 
will judge between the fat cattle 
and between the lean cattle. 

Because ye have thrust with side 
and with shoulder, and pushed all 
the diseased with your horns, till ye 
have scattered them abroad ; 

Therefore will I save my flock, 
and they shall no more be a prey; 
and I will judge between cattle and 
cattle. 

And I will set up one shepherd 
over them, and he shall feed them, 
even my servant David; he shall 
feed them, and he shall be their 


shepherd. Eze. 3420-23. 


A drought is upon her waters; 
and they shall be dried up: for it is 
the land of graven images, and they 
are mad upon their idols. 

Jer. 50:38. 


Looking diligently lest any man 
fail of the grace of God; lest any 
root of bitterness springing up 
trouble you, and thereby many be 
defiled ; 

Lest there be any fornicator, or 
profane person, as Esau, who for 
one morsel of meat sold his birth- 
right. 

For ye know how that afterward, 
when he would have inherited the 
blessing, he was rejected: for he 
found no place of repentance, though 
he sought it carefully with tears. 

Heb, 12 215-17. 


John answered and said, Master, 
we saw one casting out devils in thy 
name ; and we forbad him, because 
he followeth not with us. 

And Jesus said unto him, Forbid 
him not: for he that is not agzinst 
us is for us. Luke 9: 49, 50- 


258 STORY 


Rev. 14:8. 


Behold, here cometh a chariot of 
men, with a couple of horsemen. 
And he answered and said, Babylon 
is fallen, is fallen; and all the 
graven images of her gods he hath 
broken unto the ground. 

Isa. 21:9. 






Lot and his family were hurried 
out of Sodom. 


Flee out of the midst of Babylon, 
and deliver every man his soul: be 
not cut off in her iniquity ; for this 
is the time of the Lord’s vengeance. 

Jer. 51:6. 


Luke 19 : 41-44. 


I call heaven and earth to record 
this day against you, that I have set 
before you life and death, blessing 
and cursing: therefore choose life, 
that both thou and thy seed may 
live. “Deut. 30:19. 


Repent ye therefore, and be con- 
verted, that your sins may be blotted 
out, when the times of refreshing 
shall come from the presence of the 
Lord; 

And he shall send Jesus Christ, 
which before was preached unto 
you, Acts 3:19, 20. 


OF THE SEER OF PATMOS. $4 


fallen, is fallen,” said the angel. His message 
began in 1844, and will continue until there is 
no longer time in which to withdraw from the 
fated city. The message “is fallen, is fallen,” 
is twice repeated—“ because the thing is estab- 
lished by God, and God will shortly bring it to 
pass.” Like the warning sent to Babylon of 
old when the Jews were in captivity,—that 
those who were within the city 
might escape before the final 
overthrow, so is the warning 
concerning the churches. God 
has given warning, and those 
who desire life, will heed the call, 
and separate themselves. This 
message will also swell into a loud cry just 
before the close of probation. Those who 
hear to-day will obey to-day; others may be 
snatched from the burning as Lot and his 
family were hurried out of Sodom. But the 
effect of drinking the wine of fornication will 
be to deaden the spiritual senses until, like 
the physical drunkard, there will be no possi- 
bility of returning. Then, in one case, as in 
the other, a drunkard’s grave will be the 
end. ‘To-day if ye will hear His voice, harden 
not your heart.’ The pure water of Lebanon 
is offered in the everlasting Gospel, the power of 
God unto salvation. ‘Whosoever will, let him 
take the water of life freely.’ “The water 
that I shall give him shall be in him a well of 
water springing up into everlasting life.” 

The first angel turned hearts to the everlast- 
ing Gospel as the only means of salvation; for 
there is none other name under heaven given . 
among men, whereby we must be saved.’ 


THE THREE ANGELS’ MESSAGES. 


Man has tried to save himself, and the devil has 
invented innumerable ways for him to evade the 
Gospel; but only the one ladder connects 
heaven and earth. “I am the door:” said 
Christ, “by Me if any man enter in, he shall 
be saved.” The second angel gives the warn- 
ing, that destruction hangs over those who 
claim to be representatives of God on earth, but 
do not love His appearing. 

Shortly after the giving of the first angel’s 
message, the sealing work brought to view in 
chapter seven was begun. The glory shining 
from the law of God, enables angels to place 
the seal of God on the foreheads of those who 
obey the everlasting Gospel. But a counter 

sealing goes on at the same time. As Jehovah 
recognizes in the lives of His people the reflec- 
tion of the law of His own eternal throne and 
the seal, His name or mark which is His Sab- 
bath, so he who has, from the beginning, striven 
to thwart the Gospel of Jesus, has a seal of his 
own which gives his name, his title, and his 
dominion over which he rules. He who op 
poseth and exalteth himself above God, puts 
his seal in the place of the seal of the King of 
heaven, The image to the beast enforces the 
observance of Sunday, the first day of the week, 
instead of the Sabbath of the fourth command- 
ment. The fourth commandment is the only 
one of the decalogue that the papacy has really 
thought to change, and those who in the face of 
light and truth, choose to keep the first day of 
the week as a Sabbath, are obeying the power 
that has “thought himself able to change times 
and the law,” just as truly as those receive the 


seal of God, who take up their cross and keep 


- 


259 


Neither is there salvation in any 
other: for there is none other name 
under heaven given among men, 
whereby we must be saved. 

Acts 4:12. 


Hereafter ye shall see heaven 
open, and the angels of God ascend- 
ing and descending upon the Son of 
mar. John 1:51. 

John 10:9. 


Now then we are ambassadors for 
Christ, as though God did beseech 
you by us: we pray you in Christ’s 
stead, be ye reconciled to God. 


2 Cor. 5:20. 


Therefore thus saith the Lord, If 
thou return, then will I bring thee 
again, and thou shalt stand before 
me : and if thou take forth the pre- 
cious from the vile, thou shalt be 
as my mouth: let them return unto 
thee; but return not thou unto 
them. Jer. 15:19. 

Rev. 14 9-12. 

And the third angel followed 
them, saying with a loud voice, If 
any man worship the beast and his 
image, and receive his mark in his 
forehead, or in his hand, 

The same shall drink of the wine 
of the wrath of God, which is 
poured out without mixture into 
the cup of his indignation; and he 
shall be tormented with fire and 
brimstone in the presence of the 
holy angels, and in the presence of 
the Lamb: 

And the smoke of their torment 
ascendeth up for ever and ever: 
and they have no rest day nor 
night, who worship the beast and 
his image, and whosoever receiv- 
eth the mark of his name.. 

Here is the patience of the 
saints: here are they that keep 
the commandments of God, and the 
faith of Jesus. Rev. 14:9-12. 


Think not that I am come to de- 
stroy the law, or the prophets: I 
am not come to destroy, but to 
fulfil. 

For verily I say unto you, Till 
heaven and earth pass, one jot or 
one tittle shall in no wise pass from 
the law, till all be fulfilled. 

Matt. £:17; 18. 


260 SEORY: 


Blessed is the man that doeth 
this, and the son of man that layeth 
hold on it; that keepeth the sab- 
bath from polluting it, and keepeth 
his hand from doing any evil. 

Isa. 56:2. 


Isa. 58 : 12-14. 


OF THE SEER OF PATMOS. 


holy the-Sabbath of Jehovah, the seventh day 
of the week. The law which is passed compell- 
ing men to receive the mark of the beast, will 
give life to the image of the beast, and the 
prophecy of Rev. 13:15-17 will be a reality. 





sé ‘ ember the Sabbath { 
day.to keep it holy. 

Shy Bix daus shalf thou |e 
4 Jabor.and do allihy work: BA 


But the seventh day is 


Be) the Sabbaih of the beard 


ie thy God: in if thou shalt 4 


Me not do anu work, thou, 
rh) nor thy son, nor thy 


daughter, thy manserv- 
Cy ant, nor thy maidservant, & 


ror in six days the ard #4 


‘Ss | made heaven and carth, 
eA the sea, and all that in 
P24 them is, and rested the 


j seventh day:wherefore | 
Mil the Leord blessed the Sab- | 
¢ bath day and hallowed if. 


For six thousand years, God has 
pleaded with man to accept sal- 
vation. In the close of earth’s 
history, the everlasting Gospel is 
preached with renewed power, and 
all are given an opportunity to 
stand with God or with the enemy. 
Those who accept Jehovah as King 
are sealed, and fill the ranks of the 
one hundred and forty-four thou- 
sand. 

Another angel was seen flying in 
the midst of heaven, proclaiming 
with a loud voice, “If any man 
worship the beast and his image, 
and receive his mark in his fore- 
head, or in his hand, the same shall 


YY 





The wicked, through the pride of 
his countenance, will not seek after 
God : God isnot inall his thoughts. 


Psa. 10:4. 


Put me in remembrance: let us 
plead together: declare thou, that 
thou mayest be justified. 

Isa. 43 : 26. 


After these things I saw another 
angel come down from heaven, hav- 
ing great power ; and the earth was 
lightened with his glory. 

Rey, 18:1. 


Yo Exodus 20: 8-11 


drink of the wine of the wrath of 
God, which is poured out without 
mixture into the cup of His in- 
dignation; and he shall be tor- 
mented with fire and brimstone in the pres- 
ence of the holy angels, and in the presence of 
the Lamb: and the smoke of their torment 
ascendeth up forever and ever: and they have 
no rest day nor night, who worship the beast 


and his image, and whosoever receiveth the- 


mark of his name.” 

The seventh and eighth verses of the four- 
teenth chapter state that the first angel went to 
every nation, kindred, tongue and peopie. Ihe 


4 
¥ 
: 
E 





The Three Messages. 









THE THREE ANGELS’ MESSAGES. 


second angel followed the first, and the third 
angel followed them. Every nation under 
heaven will hear the warning against worshiping 
the beast. Each individual will be given an 
opportunity to honor the Creator by obeying 
His law and keeping holy the Sabbath of the 
Lord. Ali will receive sufficient light to decide 
intelligently. Those who reject the warning 
receive the unmixed wrath of God, which is 
filled up in the seven last plagues. There will 
be a company who will heed: the warning. Of 
this company the Lord has said, “Here is the 
patience of the saints: here are they that keep 
the commandments of God, and the faith of 
Jesus.” 

Those who have received the mark of the 
beast and his image, who have lived under the 
influence of the wine ef the fornication held to 
the lips of Babylon, will now drain to the dregs 
the cup of God’s wrath. Satan has claimed 
that in himself was light and life, and men, 
echoing his teachings, have thought themselves 
independent of heaven. When the Sun of 
Righteousness withdraws His shining, men left 
without Christ are a$ the world without the 
sunlight. This is the time of Jacob’s trouble, 
spoken of by the prophets; it is the time 
of the outpouring of the plagues; for when 
Christ turns from the world, all the ele 
ments are broken up, and man is left to 
contend, single-handed, with disease and death. 
The plagues described in the sixteenth chapter 
of Revelation are the unmingled wrath of God. 
Men, living under the warming influence of the 
sun, cannot imagine what existence would be, 
were the sun blotted out. So the human race, 


261 


As truly as I live, all the earth 
shall be filled with the glory of the 
Lord. 


Num. 14:21. 


For in the hand of the Lord there 
isacup, and the wine is red; itis 
full of mixture ; and he poureth out 
of the same : but the dregs thereof, 
all the wicked of the earth shail 
wring them out, and drink them. 

Psa. 75: 8. 


How art thou fallen from heaven, 
O day star, son of the morning! 
how art thou cut down to the 
ground, which didst weaken the 
nations ! Isa. 14:12 [margin.] 


Then Jesus said unto them, Yet 
a little while is the light with you. 
Walk while ye have the light, lest 
darkness come upon you: for he 
that walketh in darkness knoweth 
not whither he goeth. 

John 12:35. 


Jer. 30:7. 


The angel took the censer, and 
filled it with fire of the altar, and 
cast it into the earth: and there 
were voices, and thunderings, and 
lightnings, and an eazthquake. 

Rev. 8:5. 


If a man walk in the night, he 
stumbleth, because there is no light 
in him, John 11:10, 


262 STORY 


1 John 2:11, 

Rev. 16:17-21. 

The rest of the dead lived not 
again until the thougand years were 
finished. This is the first resurrec- 
tion. Rev. 20:5. 

The heavens shall pass away with 
a great noise, and the elements 
shall melt with fervent heat, the 
earth also and the works that are 
therein shall be burned up. 

2 Pet. 3:10. 


They went up on the breadth of 
the earth, and compassed the camp 
of the saints about, and the beloved 
city : and fire came down from God 
out of heaven, and devoured them. 

Rev. 20:9. 

Rev. 15 :8. 

1 Tim, 2:5. 

Because he hath set his love upon 
me, therefore will I deliver him: I 
will set him on high, because he 
hath known my name. 

Psa. 91 214. 

Psa. 2725. 

A man shall be as an hiding place 
from the wind, and a covert from 
the tempest ; as rivers of water ina 
dry place, as the shadow of a great 
rock in a weary land. Isa. 32:2. 

Rev, 14:12. 

Psa, 102 319. 

Heb. 11:27. 


Then shall appear the sign of 
the Son of man in heaven: and 
then shall all the tribes of the earth 
mourn, and they shall see the Son 
of man coming in the clouds of 
heaven with power and great glory. 

Matt. 24:30. 

1 Kings 18 : 44. 

For I am with thee, saith the 
Lord, to save thee : though I make 
a full end of all nations whither I 
have scattered thee, yet will I not 
mzke a full end of thee : 

Therefore all they that devour 
thee shall be devoured; and all 
thine adversaries, every one of 
them, shall go into captivity ; and 
they that spoil thee shall be a spoil, 
and all that prey upon thee will I 
give for a prey. 

Jer. 30:11, 16, 17+ 


OF THE SEER OF PATMOS, 


which has known life only with the light of love 
shining on it, cannot foretell the awfulness when 
conditions change. The seventh plague de- 
stroys all life upon the earth, those who are 
destroyed, will sleep in unconsciousness until 
the end of the thousand years, when the voice 
of Christ will call them forth to receive their 
final punishment. Fire comes down from God 
out of heaven, and devours them, and they 
become ashes upon the earth. 

During the outpouring of the plagues, when 
Christ has left the temple, those in whose fore- 
heads the seal of God is found, will stand 
without an intercessor. To the wicked, that 
time will bring the unmingled wrath of God, 
but the righteous are hidden under the shadow 
of the Almighty. In His tabernacle, he will 
hide them “until the indignation be over past.” 
“Here is the patience of the saints: here are 
they that keep the commandments of God, and 
the faith of Jesus.” With eyes fixed upon the 
sanctuary above, they “live as seeing Him who 
is invisible.” Soul union with Jehovah before 
the time of trouble, hides these saints in Christ, 
and thus they await the’ sign of His appearing 
in the sky. 


While watching the little companies who 


hover together through that time of trouble,— 
the only living representatives of God on earth 
when the wine of His wrath is being drunk by 
the world—John heard a voice from heaven. 
The universe is watching, waiting; for the end 
has almost come. God Himself said to John, 
“Write.” And he said, “ What shall I write?” 
And God said, “‘ Write, Blessed are the dead 
which die in the Lord.” God pronounced the 


THE THREE ANGELS’ MESSAGES. 


blessing, upon those who die in the Lord during 
the sealing work, and the Spirit answers, “ Yea, 
blessed are they.” “Thou blessest, O Lord, 
and it shall be blessed forever.” So through 
this time of trouble, when those who live, 
will find their patience tested to the utmost, 
when deathis upon every side, and anguish, 
too deep for utterance, fills every heart, 
some will. sleep, free from the strife; and 
these are pronounced blessed by God 
and by the Spirit; because, they “rest 
from their labors; and their works do 
follow them.” Having begun a good |¥ 
work, having accepted the everlasting | 
Gospel with all the consequences that | 
would follow, and having fought a good 
fight, Christ Himself completes what 
they have begun, and they rest until 
thé announcement is made that He is 
coming. Then those who have fallen 
asleep under the sealing message come 
forth to meet their Redeemer. 

On leaving the temple, before the 
outpouring of the plagues, the Son of 
man exchanges His priestly garments 
for those of a king. The royal dia- 
dem is placed upon His brow,—the brow 
once pierced by a crown of thorns. Heaven’s 
hosts are marshaled; the inhabitants of other 
worlds draw near. From the temple, flies an 
angel crying to Him who is crowned King, 
“Thrust in Thy sickle, and reap: for the 
time is come for ole to reap ; for we harvest 
of the earth is ripe.” 

The angel that had power over fire cried, 
“Thrust in Thy sharp sickle, and gather the 


263 


And | heard a voice from heaven 
saying unto me, Write, Blessed are 
the dead which die in the Lord 
from henceforth: Yea, saith the 
Spirit, that they may rest from 
their labours ; and their works do 
follow them. 


And | looked, and behold a white 
cloud, and upon the cloud one sat 
like unto the Son of man, having 
on his head a golden crown, and 
in his hand a sharp siciile. 

Rev. 14:13, 14, 





Some will sleep, free from strife. 


I have fought a good fight, I have 
finished my course, I have kept the 
faith. 

2 Tim. 4:7, 8. 


Isa. 63 : 1-3. 
John 19:2. 


And another angel came out of 
the temple, crying with a loud 
voice to him that sat on the cloud, 
Thrust in thy sickle, and reap: 
for the time is come for thee to 


reap; for tne harvest of the earth 
is ripe. Rev. 14:16. 


264 STORY 


And he that sat on the cloud 
thrust in his sickle on the earth; 
and the earth was reaped. 

And another angel came out of 
the temple which is in heaven, he 
also having a sharp sickle. 

And another angel came out from 
the altar, which had power over 
fire; and cried with a loud cry to 
him that had the sharp sickle, say- 
ing, Thrustin thy sharp sickle, and 
gather the clusters of the vine of 
the earth; for her grapes are 
fully ripe. 

And the angel thrust in his 
sickle into the earth, and gathered 
the vine of the earth, and cast it 











Ue 


ren 


into the great winepress of the 
wrath of God. 

And the winepress was trodden 
without the city, and blood came 
out of the winepress, even unto 
the horse bridles, by the space of 
a thousand and six hundred fur- 
longs Rev. 14: 16-20. 


For the Lord himself shall de- 
scend from heaven with a shout, 
with the voice of the archangel, 
and with the trump of God. 

1 Thess. 4:16, 





Li. Fite ees 
Ancient wine press. 


OF THE SEER: OF PATMOS; 


clusters of the vine of the earth; for her grapes 
are fully ripe.’ Two vines have been growing 
in the earth, one of heavenly origin; the other 
of the earth, earthy. Christ is the true vine, 
and His people are the branches. The vine of 
the earth, Satan, has many branches; its growth 
is far more luxuriant than the heavenly one, but 
it is the vine of Sodom,—its “grapes are grapes 
of gall; their clusters are bitter; their wine is 
the poison of dragons.’ Terrible is the vintage 
when the angels gather the clusters, and throw 
them into the great wine press of the 
wrath of God. 

Nation rises against nation; because 
the angels no longer hold the winds of 
strife. The whole earth gathers to 
fight in the great battle of Armaged-. 

: =, don; and so great is 
the slaughter that for 
miles about the city, 
blood flows to the horse 


bridles. At last the 
Father’s throne is 
moved, and_ heaven’s 


gates are thrown open, 
as Christ and the Father, 
seated together on 
thrones of life, surrounded by ten thousand 
times ten thousands of angels, approach the 
earth. There is silence in heaven. 

The waiting saints hear the voice of Jehovah 
as it rolls through the earth. They look 
upward toward a small cloud which appears in 
the eastern horizon. It comes nearer and 
nearer; and as its glory unfolds, earth beholds 
her King, seated upon it. In the hand of the 


i 


THE THREE ANGELS’ MESSAGES. 


King, is the law of God, which is as a sharp two- 
edged sword, and the wicked fall before the 
brightness of His countenance. Those who are 
one with Christ, will be drawn upward to the 
Lord of life, and will mingle with the hosts 
about the throne. 

Redemption’s story is complete. The re- 
deemed from every kindred, tongue, and people, 
ascend with Christ to the holy city. Broken 
families are reunited, the sorrows of earth are 
forgotten in the joys of eternity. Adam, the 
first son of God, meets the second Adam, 
Christ, who sees the travail of His soul, presents 
the offering to the Father, and is satisfied. 
The story has been a long, sad one,—a terrible 
conflict with error, but creation takes up the 
song of love, and the triumph of truth and the 
eternal principles of Jehovah are forever ac- 
knowledged. 


265 


Behold, he cometh with clouds. 
Rev. 1:7. 


All thy commandments are right- 
eousness, Psa. 119 ?172. 

The heavens shall declare his 

righteousness: for God is judge 
himself. Psa. 50:6. 

His righteousness hath he openly 

shewed in the sight of the heathen, 
Psa, 98:2. 


The heavens declare his right- 
eousness, and all the people see his 
glory. Psa. 97 : 6. 

Then we which are alive and re- 
main shall be caught up together 
with them in the clouds, to meet 
the Lord in the air: and so shall 
we ever be with the Lord. 

1 Thess. 4:17. 

For, behold, I create new heavens 
and a new earth: and the former 
shall not be remembered, nor come 
into mind, Isa. 65 217. 


There is hope in thine end, saith 
the Lord, that thy children shall 
come again to their own border. 

Jer. 31217. 








CHAPTER XVI. 


PREPARATION FOR THE PLAGUES. 


After this I looked, and, behold, 
a door was opened in heaven: and 
the first voice which I heard was as 
it were of a trumpet talking with 
me ; which said, Come up hither, 
and I will shew thee things which 
must be hereafter. 

And immediately I was in the 
Spirit : and, behold, a throne was 
set in heaven, and one sat on the 
throne, 

And he that sat was to look upon 
like a jasper and a sardine stone: 
and there was a rainbow round 
about the throne, in sight like unto 
an emerald. Rev. 4: 1-3. 


How that he was caught up in- 
to »aradise, and heard unspeakable 
words, which it is not possible for a 
man to utter. : 

2 Cor, 12:4 [margin.] 


John 14: 1-3. 
Rev. 21:9, 10, 
Heb. 9:6, 


266 


HEAVEN may seem like a far away world, but 
inspiration has given vivid descriptions of the 
abode of Jehovah. Human language but 
faintly conveys the splendor of spiritual purity, 
and the mortal mind, because of its narrowness, 
fails to grasp even the glimpses that are given; 


nevertheless, some idea may be gained of the 


capital of the universe, where dwells the King 
of kings. Outside the city of the New Jeru- 
salem, the place which Christ promised to 
prepare for His people, and which is called the 
bride, the Lamb’s wife, is Mount Zion, on 
which stands the living temple, the great council 
chamber of the most High. 
Between the ascension of Christ and 1844, 
the Saviour ministered His own shed blood in 
the first apartment of the heavenly sanctuary- 


PREPARATION FOR THE PLAGUES. 


He, the Lamb slain in the court of the congre- 
gation as a sin offering, presented His own blood 
before the Father in the holy place of the 
sanctuary. In 1844, when the prophetic period 
of twenty-three hundred days of Daniel 8: 14, 
closed, the mighty angel of the tenth chapter of 
Revelation, made known the fact to the waiting 
congregation in the earth, which is the outer 
court of the heavenly sanctuary. At that time, 
Christ entered into the most holy apartment, 
where the investigative judgment began before 
the throne of God. The judgment work con- 
tinues until the sealing angel returns from the 
earth with the words that his work has been 
accomplished. Then Christ rises from the 
judgment throne, and with a loud voice pro- 
claims, “It is finished.” Every man has heard 
the everlasting Gospel, and has accepted, or 
rejected it. If he has answered the call of God, 
his spirit has responded to the wooings of 
Jehovah, and the seal of the living God rests in 
his forehead. He is numbered with the one 
hundred and forty-four thousand. If, on the 
other hand, he has spurned the Spirit’s pleadings, 
he has received the mark of the beast, and his 
destiny is likewise sealed. 

Christ casts to the earth the censer which He 
‘holds in His hand. He lays aside the garments 
of His priesthood, and passes from the temple. 
Probation is closed. Christ’s work is finished; 
and as He, with those who have ministered with 
Him for fallen man, passes from the temple, the 
glory of God bursts forth in all its grandeur, 
until His train fills the temple. “The temple 
was filled with smoke from the glory of God, 
and from His power; and no man was able to 


267 


By his own blood he entered in 
once into the holy place, having 
obtained eternal redemption for us. 

Heb. 9: 12. 

Luke 1 :9, ro. 


Saying with a loud voice, Fear 
God, and give glory to him; for 
the hour of his judgment is come : 
and worship him that made heaven, 
and earth, and the sea, and the foun- 
tains of waters. Rev. 14:7. 


For the time is come that judg- 
ment must begin at the house of 
God: and if it first begin at us, 
what shall the end. be of them that 
obey not the gospel of God? 

: r Pet. 4:17. 


Behold, the man clothed with 
linen, which had the inkhorn by his 
side, reported the matter, saying, I 
have done as thou hast commanded 
mne. Eze. 9: 11. 


Matt. 24:14. 


He that is unjust, let him be un- 
just still : and he which is filthy, let 
him be filthy still: and he that is 
righteous, let him be righteous 
still : and he that is holy, let him be 
holy still. Rey. 22:11. 


Rev. 7:1-4. 


The angel took the censer, and 
filled it with fire of the altar, and 
cast it into the earth: and there 
Were voices, and thunderings, and 
lightnings, and an earthquake. 

Rev. 8:5. 


Lev. 16 :23. 
Isa. 6: 1-4. 
Rev. 15:8. 
Ex. 40 34, 35- 


It came to pass, when the priests 
were come out of the holy place, 
that the cloud filled the house of 
the Lord, 

So that the priests could not stand 
to minister because of the cloud: 
for the glory of the Lord had filled 
the house of the Lord. 

1 Kings 8:10, 11. 


268 STORY 


So that the priests could not stand 
to minister by reason of the cloud: 
for the glory of the Lord had 
filled the house of God. 


2 Chron. 5:14. 


2 Tim. 2:5. 
Rey, 22:12, 12. 


Father, I will that they also, 
whom thou hast given me, be with 
me where I am; that they may be- 
hold my glory, which thou hast 
given me: for thou lovedst me be- 
fore the foundation of the world. 

John 17 +24. 


Thine eyes shall see the king in 
his beauty: they shall behold the 
land that is very far off. 

Isa. 33:17. 


For our God is a consuming fire. 
Heb. 12:29. 


Behold, the veil of the temple 
was rent in twain from the top to 
the bottom ; and the earth did quake, 
and the rocks rent ; 

And the graves were opened ; 
and many bodies of the saints which 
slept arose. Matt. 27:51, 52. 


Beloved, now are we the sons of 
God, and it doth not yet appear 
what we shall be: but we know 
that, when he shall appear, we shall 
be like him; for we shall see him 
as he is. 1 John 3:2. 


The same shall drink of the wine 
of the wrath of God, which is 
poured out without mixture into 
the cup of his indignation ; and he 
shall be tormented with fire and 
brimstone in the presence of the 
holy angels, and in the presence of 
the Lamb. Rev. 14:10. 





OF THE SEER OF PATMOS. 


enter into the temple, till the seven plagues of 
the seven angels were fulfilled.” When the 
Son of God was offered for the sins of the 
world, when He became a man, and afterwards 
ministered in heaven as a man, God, the Father, 
had veiled His exceeding great glory until the 
work of redemption was complete. But when 
the Saviour utters the triumphant shout, “It is 
finished,” the restrained glory bursts forth in 
the splendor which was seen before the fall. 
Human language is so weak that words fail to 
express the thought ; but for six thousand years, 
even the God of the universe. has mourned for 
the lost world; and when at last the redeemed 
are gathered out, although they are still on 
earth, the pent up glory of Jehovah flashes 
forth,—a living, consuming fire. This was 
typified in the temple at Jerusalem, when at 
the words, “It is finished,” uttered by the 
Saviour on the cross, the veil was rent from top 
to bottom. With the announcement of these 
words this second time, the man Jesus Christ, 
with the four living creatures and four and twenty 
elders, who for centuries have represented the re 
deemed, leave the temple altogether, and enter 
no more, until Christ returns from earth, bring- 
ing with Him the host of the redeemed. Then 
with the hundred and forty-four thousand, 
glorified, and reflecting the character of Christ, 
He enters the temple, and this company min- 
ister there. 

In these closing events two distinct views 
are given to John. Before the Saviour leaves 
the temple, seven angels are seen standing 
before the altar. To them are given seven 
vials containing the unmingled wrath of God. 


PREPARATION FOR THE PLAGUES. 


The elements of the earth are under the control 
of mighty angels, and although Satan, “the 
prince of the power of the air,” has had partial 
control of these mighty forces, yet the power of 
God has held them in check; else destruction 
would have come, and man would have been de- 
stroyed. As Christ rises to leave the temple, 
these seven commanding angels stand awaiting 
the command of Jehovah. 

While they are waiting, for heaven has 
seemed to pause, John sees the same company, 
precious in the eyes of the Lord, standing, as 
they will stand on the sea of glass, when the 
seven last plagues have been poured out. Lest 
it should seem that these were lost in the terror 
of the plagues, with one sweeping ‘glance, the 
prophet sees beyond the time of trouble, when 
this same company stand on Mount Zion with 
the Lamb. It is wonderful how often this 
company is mentioned, and with what care it is 
described, before the terrors are portrayed! Its 
numbers come up out of great tribulation; they 
stand through the time of trouble without an 
intercessor; for Christ is without the temple, 
and only God remains within. 

For them the time of the plagues, through 
which they pass unharmed, is as when Israel 
stood between the mountain and the Red Sea, 
with an Egyptian army pressing hard after 
them. There was no visible way of escape, and 
casting themselves on the arm of Jehovah, they 
awaited His deliverance. Their deliverance was 
_ a marvel in the eyes of the nations round about, 
and all men feared the God of Israel. The 
song in which Moses led the hosts of the deliv- 
ered, will be repeated when the one hundred and 


269 


The Lord said unto Satan, Bee 
hold, all that he hath is in thy 
power ; only upon himself put not 
forth thine hand. So Satan went 
forth from the presence of the Lord. 

And there was a day when his 
sons and his daughters were eating 
and drinking wine in their eldest 
brother’s house : 

And there came a messenger unto 
Job, and said, The oxen were plow- 
ing, and the asses feeding beside 
them: 

And the Sabeans fell upon them, 
and took them away; yea, they 
have slain the servants with the 
edge of the sword ; and I only 2m 


escaped alone to tell thee. 


Job 1: 12-19. 


And | saw another sign in heaven, 
great and marvellous, seven angels 
having the seven /ast plagues; for 
in them is filled up the wrath of 
God. 

And I saw as it were a sea of 
glass mingled with fire: and them 
that had gotten the victory over 
the beast, and over his image, and 
over his mark, and over the num- 
ber of his name, stand on the sea 
of glass, having the harps of God. 

Rev. 16:1, 2. 


I looked, and, lo, a Lamb stood 
on the mount Sion, and with him 
an hundred forty and four thousand, 
having his Father’s name written in 
their foreheads. Rev. 14:1. 


Rev. 7:14. 
Isa. 61:2. 
Isa. 63:4. 


It came to pass, when all the 
kings of the Amorites, which were 
on the side of Jordan westward, 
and all the kings of the Canaanites, 
which were by the sea, heard that 
the Lord had dried up the waters of 
Jordan from before the children of 
Israel, until we were passed over, 
that their heart melted, neither was 
there spirit in them any more, be- 
cause of the children of Israel. 

Josh. 5:1. 


Ex, 15:1, 21. 


270 STORY 


And they sing the song of Moses 
the servant of God, and the song 
of the Lamb, saying, Great and 
marvellous are thy works, Lord Cod 
Almighty; just and true are thy 
ways, thou King of saints, 

Who shall not fear thee, O Lord, 
and glorify thy name? for thou 
only art holy: for all nations skall 
come and worship before thee ; for 
thy judgments are made manifest. 

And after that | looked, and, be- 
hold, the temple of the tabernacle 
of the testimony in heaven was 
opened: 

And the seven angels came out 
of the temple, having the seven 
plagues, clothed in pure and white 
linen, and kaving their breasts 
girded with golden girdles. 

And one of the four beasts gave 
unto the seven angels seven golden 
vials full of the wrath of God, who 
liveth for ever and ever. 

Rev. 16: 8-7, 


2Tim. 4:8, 


Suddenly there was with the angel 
a multitude of the heavenly host 
praising God, and saying, 

Glory to God in the highest, and 
on earth peace, good will toward 
men.” Luke 2:13, 14. 


Rev. 15 :3- 


‘Thy dead men shall live, together 
with my dead body shall they arise. 
Awake and sing, ye that dwell in 
dust: for thy dew is as the dew of 
herbs, and the earth shall cast out 
the dead. Isa. 26:19. 


OF THE SEER OF PATMOS. 





forty-four thousand stand on Mount Zion. “I 
will sing unto the Lord, for He hath triumphed 
gloriously. . . . The Lord is my strength 
and song, and He is become my salvation: He 
is my God, and I will prepare Him an habita- 
tion; my father’s God, and I will exalt Him. 
Thy right hand, O Lord, hath dashed 
in pieces the enemy. And in the greatness of 
Thine excellency, Thou hast 
overthrown them that rose up 
against Thee: Thou sentest 
forth Thy wrath, which con 
sumed them as stubble.” The 
song of Moses is the song of 
deliverance from impending 
destruction ;* the song of the 
Lamb is one of triumph over 
sin and the grave. 

This company stand on a 
sea of glass, which, to the 
prophet on Patmos, looked 
like the smooth waters of the 
Mediterranean, reflecting the 
glories of a sun- 
set. 


















It was ab 
sea of glass min- 
gled with fire. § 
The Saviour 
Himself places 


The smooth waters of the Mediterranean, 
reflecting the glories of a sunset. 


crowns on their heads and harps in their hands, 
Earth has heard music; but never has this 
world heard any music which can compare with 


celestial strains. Heaven has resounded with 
songs; but since the fall, the key has been 
lowered. When the redeemed gather about the 
throne, the leader of the angel choir strikes a 


PREPARATION FOR THE PLAGUES. 


note higher than before; and the harps are 
swept by fingers guided by souls filled with love 
and thanksgiving. ‘Great and marvelous are 
Thy works, Lord God Almighty,” rings forth as 
the works of God are viewed by eyes once 
dimmed by sin. “Just and true are Thy ways, 
Thou King of saints,” echoes and reechoes as 
the plan of salvation unfolds to minds, newly 
touched with immortality. ‘ Who shall not fear 
Thee, O Lord, and glorify Thy name?” And 
the answer comes, “All nations shall come and 
worship before Thee; for Thy judgments are 
made manifest.” 

Through all the controversy, Satan has 
attempted to justify himself, and to prove that 
-hheaven was responsible for the rebellion; but 
before his destruction, he will be convinced of 
the everlasting goodness of the Father; and 
bowing before the throne, he will confess the 
justice of the sentence pronounced against him. 
God’s wisdom, His justice, and His goodness, 
stand vindicated before the universe. The 
whole universe, both the lost and the redeemed, 
will at last pronounce their own sentence in the 
words, “just and true are Thy ways, Thou 
King of saints, . . . for Thy judgments are 
made manifest.” 

John looked again toward the temple ; for while 
_he had prophetically seen the culmination, the 
end had not yet fully come. He sees the seven 
angels waiting, and to them are given, by one of 
the four living creatures, seven vials of wrath. 
So complete is the acknowledgment of the 
justice of all God’s ways that when Christ 
proclaims, ‘He that is unjust, let him be un- 
just still: and he which is filthy, let him be 


271 


So when this corruptible shall 
have put on incorruptior, and this 
mortal shall have put on immortal- 
ity, then shall be brought to pass 
the saying that is written, Death is 
swallowed up in victory. 

O death, where is thy sting? O 
grave, where is thy victory? 

The sting of death is sin ; and the 
strength of sin is the law. 

But thanks be to God, which giv- 
eth us the victory through our Lord 
Jesus Christ, 1 Cor. 15 254-57. 


Sing, O ye heavens ; for the Lord 
hath done it: shout, ye lower parts 
of the earth: break forth into sing- 
ing, ye mountains, O forest, and 
every tree therein: for the Lord 
hath redeemed Jacob, and glorified 
himself in Israel. Isa. 44323. 


That at the came of Jesus every 
knee should bow, of things in 
heaven, and things in earth, and 
things under the earth. 

Phil. 2:10, 


And the temple was filled with 
smoke from the glory of God, and 
from his power; and no man was 
able to enter into the temple, till 
the seven plagues of ti-e seven 
angels were fulfilled. 

Rev, 16: 8. 


Rey. 22 :11, 12. 


272 


If the tree fall toward the south, 
or toward the north, in the place 
where the tree falleth, there it shall 
be. Eccl. 11:3. 


For in the Land of the Lord there 
is acup, and the wine is red; it is 
full of mixture ; and he poureth out 
of the same: but the dregs thereof, 
all the wicked of the earth shall 
wring them out, and drink them. 

But I will declare for ever ; I will 
sing praises to the God of Jacob. 

Psa. 75 38, 9. 


For he hath look.d down from 
the height of his sanctuary ; from 
heaven did the Lord behold the 
earth. Psa. 102 3 19. 


STORY OF THE SEER OF PATMOS. 





filthy still: and he that is righteous, let him be 
righteous still,’ there’is no longer any opportu- 
nity for man to change his course, or retrace 
his steps, the vials which contain destruction for 
the wicked, are placed in the hands of the 
angels by one of the four living creatures, 
representing man in the court of heaven. Man 
is judged by fellow-man, and the universe 
proclaims the justice of the law of God. Christ 
steps out ; the temple is left to the Father alone. 
“The thresholds moved at the voice of Him 
that cried, and the house was filled with smoke.” 
The seven angels await the command of 


Jehovah. The closing work of earth is about to 


begin. 








Cri th Ox V AE: 


THE SEVEN LAST PLAGUES. 


Tue inner veil of the earthly sanctuary was 
rent in twain when Christ on Calvary uttered 
the words, “It is finished.” These words 
announced to all the waiting universe, that the 
service in types and shadows was forever at 
an end; for type had met antitype. When 
Christ rises from the judgment throne in “the 
temple of the tabernacle of the testimony in 
heaven,” the holy of holies, and cries so that 
His voice reaches the utmost bounds of creation, 
saying, “It is done,” the Father’s glory fills the 
temple, and all other beings are excluded. Men 
on earth may continue to plead for forgiveness; 
they may still think there is time to make peace 
with God; but like the Jews, who did not see in 
Christ the antitype of the lambs they had slain, 
and continued to minister in the temple, there is 
no longer any virtue in their service. Neither 


18 


Matt 27 :50, 51. 

In the midst of the week he shall 
cause the sacrifice and the oblation 
to cease, Dan. 9:27. 

He that is unjust, let him be un- 
jast still: and he which is filthy, 
let him be filthy still: and he that 
is righteous, let him be righteous 
still: and he that is holy, let him 
be holy still. 

And, bchold, I come quickly; 
and my reward is with me, to give 
every man according as his work 
shall be. Rev. 22:11, 12. 


Behold, the days come, saith the 
Lord God, that I willsend a fam- 
ine in the land, not a famine of 
bread, nor a thirst for water, but 
of hearing the words of the Lord: 

And they shall wander from sea 
to sea, and from the north even to 
the east, they shall run to and fro 
to seek the word of the Lord, and 
shall not findit. Amos 8 :11,12. 


Behold, your house is left unto 
you desolate. Matt. 23 :38. 


273 


274 STORY 


They come unto thee as the people 
cometh, and they sit before thee as 
my people, and they hear thy words, 
but they will not do them: for with 
their mouth they shew much love, 
but their heart goeth after their 
coveteousness. 

And, lo, thou art unto them as a 
very lovely song of one that hatha 
pleasant voice, and can play well on 
an instrument: for they hear thy 
words, but they do them not. 

Eze. 33 :31, 32. 


For in him we live, and move, 
and have our being ; as certain also 
of your own poets have said, For 
we are also his offspring. 

Acts 17 :28. 


In whose hand is the soul of every 
living thing, and the breath of all 
mankind. Job 12:10. 


The fool hath said in his heart, 
There isno God. Corruptare they, 
and have done abominable iniquity: 
there is none that doeth good. 

Psa. 53 :1- 


Now as Jannes and Jambres with- 
stood Moses, so do these also resist 
the truth; men of corrupt minds, 
reprobate concerning the faith. 

2 Tim. 3:8. 


He maketh his sun to rise on the 
eviland on the good, and sendeth 
rain on the just and on the unjust. 

Matt. 5:45. 

Is there any number of his arm- 
ies? and upon whom doth not his 
light arise? Job 25 :3. 

Every good gift and every perfect 
gift is from above, and cometh down 
from the Father of lights, with 
whom is no variableness, neither 
shadow of turning. Jas. 1:17. 


The Lord will create upon every 
dwelling place of mount Zion, and 
upon her assemblies, a cloud and 
smoke by day, and the shining of a 
flaming fire by night: for upon all 
the glory shall be a defence. 

And there shall be a tabernacle 
for a shadow in the daytime from 
the heat, and for a place of refuge, 
and for a covert from storm and 
from rain, Isa. 4:5, 6. 


OF THE SEER OF PATMOS: 





will prayer avail after Christ says, “It is done.” 
His declaration is final; probationary time will 
then be at an end. For thousands of years men 
have heard the voice of God, but they have 
passed on without regard. All men hear the 
preaching of the everlasting Gospel, but many 
turn a deaf ear to Jehovah’s voice. 

Humanity takes all its physical life, all its 
power and energy from God; for “in Him we 
live, and move, and have our being;” and yet 
while every pulse beat is under the direct 
control of the God of life, and He knows about 
and makes possible, every breath that is drawn, 
men will deny His very existence; or, while 
feebly acknowledging that there is a Supreme 
Power, they claim that they are wholly inde- 
pendent of that Power, and have the right to 
follow the dictates of a perverted intellect. 
Time will,be given for these philosophers to 
prove their theory. When grace and mercy 
cease to reach earthward, the prince of this. 
world will have full control of the wicked. 

When man says by word and act that he will 
not obey, and those who do obey are gathered 
into little companies overshadowed by the glory 
of God, then the restraint is removed, and man 
feels the effect of a life without Christ. Having 
waited to the extreme limit of time given for 
mercy, God calls at last from the temple to the 
seven angels having the seven vials full of the 
wrath of Jehovah, and bids them go forth. The 
seven angels come to the earth one at a time; 
that is, God’s overruling Spirit is withdrawn 
from one element after another, until utter 
destruction results. Her plagues [shall] come 
in one day, the prophet says, or one year of 
literal time 


* ease is repelled. 


THE SEVEN LAST PLAGUES. 


The first angel went, 
and poured out his vial 
upon the earth. Ever 
since the divine fiat uttered 
on the third day of creation 
week, the earth has been 
an obedient servant; and 
since the creation of man, 
she has never refused to 
respond to his call for food. 
Whatsoever a man sowed 
that he expected to reap; 
and the grains and the 
herbs have been for the 
service of man and beast. 
The foods which the earth 
brings forth nourish the 
human frame, and dis- 
But the first angel poured 
out his vial upon the earth. “Alas for the day! 
for the day of the Lord is at hand, and as a 
destruction from the Almighty shall it come.” 
“ The seed is rotten under their clods, the garners 
are laid desolate, the barns are broken down; 
for the corn is withered. How do the beasts 
groan ! the herds of cattle are perplexed, because 
they have no pasture; yea, the flocks of sheep 
are made desolate.’ Habakkuk says that 
“The fig tree shall not blossom, neither shall 
fruit be in the vines ; the labor of the olive shall 
fail, and the fields shall yield no meat; the 
flocks shall be cut off from the fold, and there 
shall be no herd in the stalls.” “The heaven 
over you is stayed from dew, and the earth is 
stayed from her fruit.” 

A short drought, over a small area, has 





The first angel went, and 
poured out his vial 
upon the earth. 


275 


For the day of vengeance is in 
mine heart, and the year of my re- 
deemed is come. Isa. 63 = 4. 


Isa. 34:8. 
Gen. 1:11, 12. 


And | heard a great ucice out of 
the temple saying to the seven 
angels, Go your ways, and pour 
out the vials of the wrath of God 
upon the earth. 

And the first went, and poured 
out his vial upon the earth; and 
there fella noisome and grievous 
sore upon the men which had the 
mark of the beast, and upon them 
which worshipped his image. 

Reu. 16:1, 2. 


Joel 1 : 15-20. 


Therefore shall the land mourn 
and every one that dwelleth therein 
shall languish, with the beasts of 
the field, and with the fowls of 
heaven ; yea, the fishes of the sea 
also shall be taken away. 

Hos. 4:3. 


Hab. 3:17. 


For the mountains will I take up 
a weeping and wai-ing, and for the 
habitations of the wilderness a lam- 
entation, because they are burned 
up, so that none can pass through 
them; neither can men hear the 
voice of the cattle ; both the fowl 
of the heavens and the beast are 
fled ; they are gone. 

And I will make Jerusalem 
heaps, and a den of dragons ; and I 
will make the cities of Judah deso- 
late, without an inhabitant. 

Jer. 9: 10, 11. 


Hag. 1:10, 


276 STORY 


A thousand shall fall at thy side, 
and ten thousand at thy right hand ; 
but it shall not come nigh thee. 

Psa. 91 :7- 


Rev. 16:2. 


And I hearc the number of them 
which were sealed: and there were 
sealed an hundred and forty and 
four thousand of all the tribes of 
the children of Israel. Rev. 7:4. 


The third angel followed them, 
saying with a loud voice, if any man 
worship the beast and his image, 
and receive his mark in his fore- 
head, or in his hand, 

The same shall drink of the wine 
of the wrath of God, which is 
poured out without mixture into 
the cup of his indignation ; and he 
shall be tormented with fire and 
brimstone in the presence of the 
holy angels, and in the presence of 
the Lamb. Rev. 14:9, 10. 


In the Jast day, that great day of 
the feast, Jesus stood and eried, say- 
ing, If any man thirst, let him come 
unto me, and drink. 

John 7:37. 


Because thou hast made the Lord, 
which is my refuge, even the most 
High, thy habitation ; 

There shall no evil befall thee, 
neithershall any plague come nigh 
thy dwelling. Psa. 91:9, 10. 

Isa. 33 216. 3 

And gavest them bread from 
heaven for their hunger, and 
broughtest forth water for them out 
of the rock for their thirst, and 
promisedst them that they should 
go in to possess the land which thou 
hadst sworn to give them. 

Neh. 9:15. 

Hab. 3:18. 

Hab. 3:19. 

Psa. 91 :6, 7-10. 


He shall deliver thee in six trou- 
bles : yea, in seven there shall no 
evil touch thee, Job 5:19 


OF THE SEER OF PATMOS: 





caused untold suffering and disease on the earth. 
What will it be when the earth ceases to yield 
her fruits, or when the trees and all vegetation 
are so full of disease that the cattle starve for 
lack of pasturage, and man is in no better 
condition ? 

“There fell a noisome and grievous sore upon 
the men which had the mark of the beast, and 
upon them which worshiped his image.”  Be- 
fore the first angel, holding his vial, left the 
temple, all men had been divided into two 
classes,—those who are sealed with the seal of 
the living God, and those who worship the beast, 
or his image, and bear his mark. The grievous 
sores come ‘upon those having the mark of the 
beast. When disease is abroad in the land, it is 
rebuked only by a strong spiritual atmosphere. 
Christ was fully charged with life, which is the 
result of soul union with the fountain head ; and 
as He could touch the leper and cause 
health to flow from Him to the diseased man, 
so in the time of the first plague, those who are 
clothed with spiritual life will resist disease. 
Even the physical man will be protected by the 
strength of the soul union with the Father. 
Their bread and water will be sure, and habits 
of simple diet have become so fixed during their 
time of probation that though there may be a 
drought, God can feed them as He did Israel in 
the wilderness. In the midst of this terrible 
suffering, the little companies will sing and. 
rejoice. “I will rejoice in the Lord, I will joy 
in the God of my salvation. The Lord God is 
my strength, and He will make my feet like 
hinds’ feet, and He will make me to walk upon 
mine high places.” ‘Thou shalt not be afraid 


THE SEVEN LAST PLAGUES. 


- . . for the pestilence that walketh in dark- 
ness. . . . A thousand shall fall at thy side, 
and ten thousand at thy right hand; but it shall 
not come nigh thee. . . . Because thou 
hast made the Lord, which is my refuge, even 


the most High, thy habitation; there shall’ 


no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague 
come nigh thy dwelling.” 

As the Lord put a division between Israel 
and the Egyptians after the first three plagues 
had fallen upon the land of the Pharaohs, so in 
the time of trouble He says, “Come, My people, 
enter thou into thy chambers, and shut 
thy doors about thee: hide thyself as 
it were for a little moment, until the 
indignation be overpast. For, behold, 
the Lord cometh out of His place to 
punish the inhabitants of the earth 
for their iniquity.” ‘The Lord will 
create upon every dwelling place of 
Mount Zion, and upon her assem- 
blies, a cloud and smoke by day, and 
the shining of a flaming fire by 
night: for above all the glory shall 
be a covering.” 

The vial of the second angel was 
poured upon the sea, and the creatures of the sea 
died, for what was once life became poison.’ There 
is but a step between life and death. A change 
of a few degrees in temperature, would kill all 
life, both animal and vegetable; deprive an 
animal-of the life-giving oxygen, and in a few 
moments, life is extinct. 

The deliverance of Israel from the land of 
Egypt, and their guidance through the wilder- 
ness, is a type of God’s care for His sealed 


277 


I will sever in that day the land 
of Goshen, in which my people 
dwell, that no swarms of flies shall 
be there; to the end thou mayest 
know that I am the Lord in the 
midst of the earth, 

And I will put a division between 
my people and thy people: to mor- 
row shall this sign be. 

Ex. 8:22, 23. 






The creatures of the sea. 


And the second angel poured out 
his vial upon the sea; and it be- 
came as the blood of a dead man: 
and every living soul died in the 
sea. Rev. 16:3. 

And the fish that was in the river 
died ; and the river stank, and the 
Egyptians could not drink of the 
water of the river; and there was 
blood throughout all the land of 
Egypt. 


For it is the day of the Lord’s 
vengeance, and the year of recom- 
penses for the controversy of Zion, 


Isa. 34.8 ~ 


Ex. 720, 21. 


278 STORY 


Thou art wearied in the multitude 
of thy counsels. Let now the as- 
trologers, the stargazers, the 
monthly prognosticators, stand up, 
and save thee from these things that 
shall come upon thee. 

Behold, they shall be as stubble ; 
the fire shall burn them ; they shall 
not deliver themselves from the 
power of the flame: there shall not 
be a coal to warm at, nor fire to sit 
before it. Isa. 47 211-14. 





The rivers become blood. 


And the third angel poured out 
his vial upon the rivers and foun- 
tains of waters; and they became 
blood. 

And | heard the angel of the 
waters say, Thou art righteous, 0 
Lord, which art, and wast, and 
shalt be, because thou hast judged 
thus. 

For they have shed the blood of 
saints and prophets, and thou hast 
given them blood to drink; for 
they are worthy. 





OF THE SEER OF PATMOS. 


ones during the year when the plagues are 
falling. This will be a time of trouble such as 
never was since there was a nation, and the 
strength of God’s people will consist in their 
pressing close to Him. Deep anguish will often 
oppress them, but as the light of the promises 
breaks in, they sing praises for their deliverance. 

During the falling of these plagues, men of 
science, who have advocated the 
power of the human intellect 
and the wisdom of man, will 
doubtless offer scientific reasons 
for the disease on land and sea. 
The magicians of Egypt first 
imitated the wonders which came 
by the hand of Moses ; and when 
they could no longer do that, 
they gave a reason for each 
miracle, assigning some natural 
cause; and as soon as the 
plague was removed, Pharaoh 
would say in his heart, “I 
thought for a time it was a 
divine providence upon the land, 
but doubtless, as the magicians 
say, it was due to such and such 
a cause,’ and Pharaoh hardened 
his heart. As men did then, so will they do in 
the end of time; for men’s hearts are the same 
in all generations. The repentance of Pharaoh 
was like that of Cain,—it was sorrow for suffer- 
ing, not sorrow for sin. This will be the same 
in the days of the last plagues. 

The third angel withdraws the life-giving spirit 
from the rivers and the fountains of water, and 
they become blood. Since the days of creation, 


THE SEVEN LAST PLAGUES. 


God has, by the flowing streams and the 
wells of water, typified salvation, which is full 
and free. Asa teacher on earth, Christ used 
the waters of Jacob’s well, to illustrate the life 
of the Spirit, which wells up into everlasting life. 
The smitten rock in the wilderness, from which 
flowed the water for the thirsty millions in 
Israel’s camp, was God’s voice saying, “Come 
unto Me and drink.” In the sanctuary service, 
on that last great day of the feast, the silver 
trumpets called the people together in the early 
morning ; and the priests, bearing flagons of 
water from the brook Kedron, ascended the 
steps of the temple singing, “Our feet shall 
stand within thy gates, O Jerusalem.” “ Jeho- 
vah is my strength and my song; He also is 
become my salvation. Therefore with joy shall 
ye draw water out of the wells of salvation.” 
These words will again be sung by those who 
are preserved in the time of the third plague. 
Those who have exchanged life for death, 
will see the rivers turned to blood,—a type of 
the blood of Christ, which they have spurned ; 
and the lives of saints which they have lightly 
regarded. 

Heaven is bending near the earth, even 
through its time of trouble; and angels, having 
watched the workings of evil, uphold the 
purpose of God, and pronounce His judgments 
true and righteous. The sun, which has shone 
alske upon the just and the unjust, which, in its 
very beams, is a reflection of the smile of God, 
becomes, when His Spirit is withdrawn, a heat 
which scorches men as with fire. God, whose 
countenance is life to those who are in harmony 
with Him, is a consuming fire to His enemies. 


279 


And | heard another out of the 
altar say, Even so, Lord God Al- 
mighty, true and righteous are 
tny judgments. Rev. 16: 4-7, 


Behold, I will stand before thee 
there upon the rock in Horeb; and 
thou shalt smite the rock, and there 
shall come water out of it, that the 
people may drink. And Muses did 
so in the sight of the elders of Israel. 

Ex. 17:6. 


Isa. 48:21. 
Psa. 105 : 41. 
Psa. 78:15, 16. 


Isa. 1222-5. 


He shall dwell on high: his place 
of defence shall be the munitions of 
rocks: bread shall be given him; 
his waters shall be sure. 

Isa. 33 : 16. 


2 Kings 3 :17,22. 


For they have shed the blood of 
saints and prophets, and thou hast - 
given them blood to drink ; for they 
are worthy. Rev. 16:6. 


Heb. 10 :29. 
Mal. 3:5. 


Zion heard, and was glad ; and the 
daughters of Judah rejoiced because 
of thy judgments, O Lord. 

Psa. 97:8. 

Matt. 5 : 45. 

Job. 25:3. 


Unto you that fear my name shall 
the Sun of righteousness arise with 
healing in his wings. Mal. 4:2. 


The Lord said, My Spirit shall 
not always strive with man. 
Gen. 6:3. 


Who among us shall dwell with 
the devouring fire? who among us 
shall dwell with everlasting burn. 
ings? Isa. 33 214. 


280 STORY 


Psa. 18 «14. 
Zech. 9:14. 


And the fourth angel poured out 
his vial upon the sun; and power 
was given unto him to scorch men 
with fire. 

And men were scorched with 
great heat, and blasphemed the 
name Of God, which hath power 
over these plagues: and they re- 
pented not to give him glory. 

Rev. 16:8, 9. 


For death is come up into our 
windows, and is entered into our 
palaces, to cut off the children from 
without, and the young men from 
the streets. Jer. 9:21. 


Therefore shall evil come upon 
thee ; thou shalt not know from 
whence it riseth : and mischief shall 
fall upon thee; thou shalt not be 
able to put it off: and desolation 
shall come upon thee suddenly, 
which thou shalt not know. 

Isa. 47:11. 


Job. 1:16. 
Num. 14:14. 
Psa. gt it. 


A fire devoureth before them 
and behind them a flame burneth: 
the landis as the garden of Eden 
before them, and behind them a 
desolate wilderness ; yea, and noth- 
ing shall escape them. 

Joel 2:3. 


Who will have all men to be 
saved, and to come unto the knowl- 
edge of the truth. 1 Tim. 2 24. 


For God speaketh once, yea 
twice, yet man perceiveth it not. 
Job 33:14. 


OF THE SEER OF PATMOS. 





The lightning has been chained, and when kept 
within its circuit, is the obedient servant of man, 
even administering to his physical being; but 
uncontrolled, it is an instrument of instant 
death. Thus the sun becomes an agent of 
destruction, and under the fourth plague its 
rays scorch men. In the wilderness a cloud 
overshadowed the camp by day. God was asa 





Men blaspheme God and repent not. 


“shadow of a great rock ina weary land.” “He 
that dwelleth in the secret place of the most 
High shall abide under the shadow of the 
Almighty.” But those without a shelter, who 
suffer from the intense heat, which withers 
every living thing, and prostrates man and 
beast, blaspheme God and repent not. 


THE SEVEN LAST PLAGUES. 


As long as probation lingered, God dealt with. 
men in various ways to cause them to repent, 
He sent warnings by the prophets, He spoke 
through His providences, He gave blessings 
and then removed them, He gave health, and 
when that did not bring repentance, He sought 
by a bed of sickness to gain recognition. When 
probation has closed, it will be seen that no 
power in heaven or in earth, could have turned 
the worldly-wise to the source of all true 
wisdom. ‘Ephraim is joined to his idols: let 
him alone.” 

Signs of the coming of the Son of man were 
given in the earth, the sea,and the sky. Those 
were unheeded, and in the plagues, terrors come 
from those same places. 

The fifth vial was poured upon the seat of 
the beast. The developments in the last days, 
reveal the persecuting spirit of the beast and 
his image. All the world wondered after the 
beast, and looked to his man-made power in 
preference to the God of light and love. Thick 
darkness covered all the land of Egypt for three 
days, so that men could not leave their 
homes. This was a type of the darkness of the 
fifth plague. Men scoffed when they heard 
that the darkening of the sun in 1780 was 
a token of the approaching day of * God. 
Some of these men will be living, when the sun 
refuses to shine upon the whole earth. They 
blaspheme because of the heat of its rays; and 
then gnaw their tongues in anguish during the 
bitter night which settles upon the earth. 

“The great day of the Lord is near, it is 
near, and hasteth greatly. . . . That day 
is a day of wrath, a day of trouble and distress, 


281 


Immediately the angel of the Lord 
smote him, because he gave not 
God the glory: and he was eaten of 
worms, and gave up the ghost. 

Acts 12:23. 

2 Sam. 24:17. 

Christ Jesus, who of God is made 
unto us wisdom, and righteousness, 
and sanctification, and redemption. 

1 Cor. 1:30, 


There shall be signs in the sun, 
and in the moon, and in the stars ; 
and upon the earth distress of na- 
tions, with perplexity ; the sea and 
the waves roaring. Luke 21:25. 


And the fifth angel poured out 
his vial upon the seat of the beast ; 
and his kingdom was full of dark- 
ness; and they gnawed their 
tongues for pain, 

And blasphemed the God of 
heaven because of their pains and 
their sores, and repented not of 
their deeds. Rev. 16:10, 71. 


Moses stretched forth his hand 
toward heaven; and there was a 
thick darkness in all the land of 
Egypt three days : 

They saw not one another, nei- 
ther rose any from his place for 
three days: but all the children of 
Israel had light in their dwellings. 

Ex. 10: 22, 23. 

Knowing this first, that there 
shall come in the last days scoffers, 
walking after their own lusts, 

And saying, Where is the prom- 
ise of his coming? for since the 
fathers fell asleep, all things con- 
tinue as they were from the begin- 
ning of the creation. 

2 Petr 3/235 4. 


A day of darkness and of gloomi- 
ness, a day of clouds and of thick 
darkness. Joel 2:2.° 


Therefore wait ye upon me, saith 
the Lord, until the day that I rise 
up to the prey: for my determina- 
tion is to gather the nations, that I 
may assemble the kingdoms, to 
pour upon them mine ind‘gnation, 
even all my fierce anger : for a! the 
earth shall be devoured with the fire 
of my jealousy. Zeph, 3 :8. 


282 STORY 


Prince of the power of the air, the 
spirit that now worketh in the chil- 
dren of disobedience. Eph. 2:2. 

Great is the wrath of the Lord 
that is poured out upon us, because 
our fathers have not kept the word 
of the Lord, to do after all that is 
written in this book. 

2 Chron, 34:21. 


OF THE SEER OF PATMOS. 


a day of wasteness and desolation, a day of 
darkness and gloominess, a day of clouds and 
thick darkness. And I will bring dis- 
tress upon men, that they shall walk like blind 
men, because they have sinned against the 
Lord. . . . Neither their silver nor their 





The light shines only upon the houses of Israel. 


Isa. 2 220. 


Riches profit not in the day of 
wrath : but righteousness delivereth 
from death. Prov. 11:4. 


Yet thou in thy manifold mercies 
forsookest them not in the wilder- 
ness: the pillar of the cloud de- 
parted not from them by day, to 
lead them in the way ; neither the 
pillar of fire by night, to shew them 
light, and the way wherein they 
should go. Neh. 9:19. 


Now all these things happened 
unto them for ensamples : and they 
are written for our admonition, 
upon whom the ends of the world 


are come, 1 Cor, 10:11. 


As it was in the days of Noe, so 
shall it be also in the days of the 


Son of man. Luke 17 :26. 


It shall be, when thou hast made 
an end of reading this book, that 
thou shalt bind a stone to it, and 
cast it into the midst of Euphrates : 


Jer. 51 363. 


gold shall be able to deliver them in the day of 
the Lord’s wrath; but the whole land shall be 
devoured by the fire of His jealousy: for He 
shall make even a speedy riddance of all them 
that dwell in the land.” Terrible is the wrath 
of God; He has but to hide His face, and all 
men are put to confusion. Satan, once light 
bearer in the heavenly court, claimed that 
light dwelt in him. This will bea time for him to 
manifest his power; but the world finds that its 
prince, with all his followers, is enshrouded in 
the same dense gloom. The light shines only 
upon the houses of Israel. Each little company 
is still overshadowed by that cloud which is a 
protection from the heat and a light in the 
night. It is the same cloudy pillar which 
guided ancient Israel. 

The wonderful records of deliverance, scat- 
tered through the holy Word, are types of 





THE SEVEN LAST PLAGUES. 


the final deliverance of God’s people when the 
earth itself is destroyed, together with the 
workers of iniquity. Each overthrow of nations 
is a symbol of the final destruction of all things 
at the second coming of Christ. These three 
witnesses,—individual experience, national life, 
and the written Word, have spoken constantly ; 
but though an angel from heaven should speak 
in thunder tones, men would not change. 

Even during the falling of the plagues, men 
go on in the way of the world. Governments 
do their business, men seek gold and fame, 
nations prepare for war, and the controlling 
powers of earth,—the beast and his image— 
still plan the extermination of the hated, persc- 
cuted sect upon whom they lay the blame of 
the famine and the pestilence. As Elijah, the 
prophet, was called the troubler in Israel, so 
the commandment-keeping people are pointed 
out as the cause of tribulation. 

SZ The beast and his image seek to control all 
nations. Satan works in a way never before 
known. The principles which made Rome the 
most oppressive government, are revived and 
strengthened. The miracle-working power of 
Spiritualism adds strength to the oppression. 
Paganism (the dragon), the papacy (the beast), 
and fallen Protestantism (the false prophet), 
join hands. Urged on by the unclean spirits, 
deadly decrees are issued by this threefold 
union, and Satan himself appears in person. 
The angels loose the winds of strife; and 
marshaled by the great commander of the 
legions of darkness, the nations gather for the 
great battle of Armageddon. Hitherto the 
hand of God has controlled in battle. His voice 


283 


And thou shalt say, Thus shall 
Babylon sink, and shall not rise 
from the evil that I will bring upon 
her : and they shall be weary. Thus 
far are the words of Jeremiah. 

Jer. 51:64. 


He said unto him, If they hear 
not Moses and the prophets, nei- 
ther will they be persuaded, though 
one rose from the dead, 

Luke 16 :31. 


He had power to give life unto 
the image of the beast, that the 
image of the beast should both 
speak, and cause that as many as 
would not worship the image of the 
beast should be killed. 

And he causeth all, both small 
and great, rich and poor, free and 
bond, to receive a mark in their 
right hand, or in their foreheads. 

Rev. 13 : 15, 16. 


It came to pass, when Ahab saw 
Elijah, that Ahab said unto him, 
Art thou he that troubleth Israel? 

And he answered, I have not 
troubled Israel; but thou, and thy 
father’s house, in that ye have for- 
saken the commandments of the 
Lord, and thou hast followed 
Baalim, 1 Kings 18:17, 18. 


And the sixth angel poured out 
his vial upon the great river Eu- 
phrates; and the water thereof 
was dried up, that the way of the 
kings of the east might be pre- 
pared. 

And | saw three unclean spirits 
like frogs come out of the mouth 
of the dragon, and out of the 
mouth of the beast, and out of the 
mouth of the false prophet. 

For they are the spirits of dev- 
ils, working miracles, which go 
forth unto the kings of the earth 
and of the whole world, to gather 
them to the battle of that great 
day of God Almighty. 

Rev, 16;12-14., 


I saw the beasz, and the kings of 
the earth, and their armies, gath- 
ered together to make war against 
him that sat on the horse, and 
against his army. Rev. 19:19, 


284 STORY 


Behold, | come as a thlef. 
Blessed is he that watcheth, and 
keepeth his garments, lest he walk 
naked, and they see his shame. 

And he gathered them together 
into a place called in the Hebrew 
tongue Armageddon. 

Rev. 16:16, 16. 


He shall plant the tabernacles of 
his palace between the seas in the 
glorious holy mountain; yet he 
shall come to his end, and none 
shall help him, Dan. 11:45. 


Sisera gathered together all his 
chariots, even nine hundred chari- 
ots of iron, and all the people that 
were with him, from Harosheth of 
the Gentiles unto the river of 
Kishon. ; 

And Deborah said unto Barak, 
Up; for this is the day in which 
the Lord hath delivered Sisera into 
thine hand: is not the Lord gone 
out before thee? So Barak went 
down from mount Tabor, and ten 
thousand men after him, 

And the Lord discomfited Sisera. 

Judges 4:13-15. 

Judges 5:19. 

In his days Pharaoh-nechoh king 
of Egypt went up against the king 
of Assyria to the river Euphrates: 
and king Josiah went against him; 
and he slew him at Megiddo, when 
he had seenhim. 2 Kings 23:29. 


The archers shct at king Josiah; 
and the king said to his servants, 
Have me away; for I am sore 
-wounded. 

His servants therefore took him 
out of that chariot, and put him in 
the second chariot that he had; 
and they brought him to Jerusalem, 
and he died, and was buried in one 
of the sepulchres of his fathers. 
And all Judah and Jerusalem 
mourned for Josiah. 

And Jeremiah lamented for Jo- 
siah: and all the singing men and 
the singing women spake of Josiah 
in their lamentations to this day, 
and made them an ordinance in 
Israel: and, behold, they are writ- 
ten in the lamentations. 

; 2 Chron, 35 323-25. 


OF THE SEER OF PATMOS, 


has said, “Thus far, and no farther;’ and 


although His hand was not recognized, it has 
guided even heathen armies. This is a truth 
plainly shown in the wars of Israel, recorded 
in the Old Testament. 

~ But when the sixth plague is poured out, 
there is no restraining hand. The Turkish 
power designated as the River Euphrates, which 
has separated between the East and the West, 
gives way; and like the rushing together of 
mighty storm clouds, the armies of the earth, 
striving for the territory, meet in the valley of 
Jehoshaphat,—the ancient meeting place for 
Egypt and Assyria, known in the Hebrew as 
Megiddo, and in Greek as Armageddon. The 
word itself means “the place of the troops,” 
and the history of battles fought there, typifies 
the last great contest between nations under 
the sixth plague. In the days of Deborah, the 
prophetess, the armies of Israel fought against 
Jabin, the king of the Canaanites whose captain 
was Sisera. God wrought for Israel, and the 
victory called forth the song of Deborah and 
Barak. “The kings came and fought, then 
fought the kings of Canaan in Taanach by 
the waters of Megiddo; they took no gain of 
money. They fought from heaven; the stars in 
their courses fought against Sisera.” In the 
valley of Megiddo, Josiah, king of Israel, was 
slain_by Pharaoh Nechoh, who was passing by 
that valley to the stronghold of the Abyssinians 
on the Euphrates. The death of the Jewish 
king caused great lamentation, called “the 
mourning of Hadadrimmon”; and looking for- 
ward to the time of the end, the prophet 
Zechariah says, “In that day there shall bea 






"THE SEVEN LAST PLAGUES. 285 


great mourning 
in Jerusalem, as 
the mourning of 
Hadadrim mon 
in the valley of 
Megiddo. 
"While the na- 
tions are gather- 
ing for this great 
contest, the seu 
enth angel pours 
out his Vial in 
the air. The 
elements, which had heretofore mingled in 
giving life to man, clash together; and 
above the tumult, the mighty peals of 
thunder, and the flashes of lightning, the 
voice of Jehovah Himself is heard saying, 
“Tt is done.” “All the host of heaven 
shall be dissolved, and the heavens shall 
be rolled together as a scroll: and all their 
host shall fall down, as the leaf falleth off 
from the vine, and as a falling fig from the 
fig tree. For my sword shall be bathed in 
heaven. . . . Forit is the day of the 
Lord’s vengeance, and the year of recom- 
pences for the controversy of Zion. And 
the streams thereof shall be turned into 
pitch, and the dust thereof into brimstone, 






It is the day of the Lord’s vengeance. 


and the land thereof shall become burning pitch.” —_And the seventh angel poured out 


his vial into the air; and there 


“The Lord is slow to anger, and great in POWET, came a great voice out of the tem- 
and will not at all acquit the wicked: the Lord 7! % heaven from the tirone, 
hath His way in the whirlwind and in the storm, 

and the clouds are the dust of His feet. He re- pore ye ee ora new S0n8 i 


saying, Itisdone. Rev. 16:17. 


for he hath done marvc!lous things: 


buketh the sea, and maketh it dry, and drieth up 5s tisht hand, and bis holy arm, 


hath goiten him the victory. 


alithe rivers. . . . The mountains quake at Pei otis 


286 STORY 


And there were voiccs, and thun- 
ders, and lightnings; and there 
was a great earthquake, such as 
was not since men were upon the 
earth, so mighty an earthquake, 
and so great, 

And the great city was divided 
into three parts, and the cities of 
the nations fell : and great Babylon 
came in remembrance before God, 
to give unto her the cup of the 
wine of the fierceness of his wrath. 

And every island fled away, and 
the mountains were not found. 

And there fell upon mena great 
hail out of heaven, every stone 
about the weight of a talent: and 






In the night when a holy solemnity 


is kept. 


men blasphemed God because of 
the plague of the hail; for the 
plague thereof was exceeding 
great. Rev. 16:18-21. 


Nahum 1: 1-3 


Who among us shall dwell with 
the devouring fire? who among us 
shall dwell with everlasting burn- 


ings? Isa. 33: 14+ 


OF THE SEER OF PATMOS, 


Him, and the hills melt, and the earth is burned 
at His presence, yea, the world, and all that — 
dwell therein. Who can stand before His 
indignation? And who can abide in the fierce- 
ness of His anger? His fury is poured out like 
fire, and the rocks are thrown down by Him.” 
‘For, behold, the Lord cometh forth out of His 
place, and will come down, and tread upon 
the high places of the earth. And the moun- 
tains shall be molten under Him, and the valleys 
shall be cleft, as wax before the fire, and as the 
waters that are poured down a steep 
place. For the transgression of Jacob 
is all this, and for the sins of the 
house of Israel.” 

“Come, behold the works of the 
Lord, what desolations He hath made 
in the earth. He maketh wars to 
cease unto the end of the earth; He 
breaketh the bow, and cutteth the 
spear in sunder; He burneth the chariot in 
the fire.” ‘A great earthquake, such as was 
not since men were upon the earth,” shakes 
the earth to its very foundation. ‘And every 
island fled away, and the mountains were not 
found.” 

* “When the wicked have no shelter, then are 
heard songs of deliverance from the little com- 
panies. ‘God is our refuge and strength, a 
very present help in trouble. Therefore will 
not we fear, though the earth be removed, and 
the mountains be carried into the midst of the 
sea; though the waters thereof roar and be 
troubled, though the mountains shake with the 
swelling thereof.” 

In the midst of the trouble, a peace which 





oS a 


THE SEVEN LAST PLAGUES. 


passeth all understanding rests upon the people 
of God; for they have heard the voice of God, 
proclaiming the hour of the Saviour’s coming. 
“Ye shall have a song, as in the night when a 
holy solemnity is kept ; and gladness of heart, as 
when one goeth with a pipe to come into the 
mountain of the Lord, to the mighty One of 
Israel. And the Lord shall cause His glorious 
voice to be heard, and shall show the lighting 
down of His arm, with the indignation of His 
anger, and with the flame of a devouring fire, 
with scattering, and tempest, and hailstones.” 
And yet with it all, when “there fell upon men 
great hail out of heaven, every stone about the 
weight of a talent,”’ men still “‘ blasphemed God 
because of the plague of the hail.” 

The wicked, with hearts like adamant, see not 
the signs of His coming, but blaspheme, and 
to them He comes as a thief. 

During these closing scenes, heaven is active 
with preparations for the second coming. Christ 
gathers His host about Him. After the 
Father’s voice is heard saying, “It is done,” 
His throne moves. Upon the earth prepara- 
tions are still going forward to destroy the 
saints. The decree has been passed, and the 
time is fast approaching, when with one up- 
rising, the followers of God are to be put to 
death in one day. As the voice of God echoes 
through the earth, the earth trembles; the 
graves open, and those who have fallen asleep 
under the sealing message, come forth glorified, 


ready to receive the touch of immortality when- 


Christ appears. Some of the wicked also come 
forth; for they who pierced Him shall see = 
— He comes as King of kings. _ < 


287 


The earth shall quake before 
them ; the heavens shall tremble: 
the sun and the moon shall be dark, 
and the stars shall withdraw their 
shining : 

And the Lord shall utter his 
voice before his army : for his camp 
is very great: for he is strong that 
executeth his word: for the day of 
the Lord is great and very terrible ; 
and who can abide it? 

Joel 2: 10, 11. 


How that they told you there 
shouid be mockers in the last time, 
who should walk after their own 
ungodly lusts. 

These be they who separate them- 
selves, sensual, having not the 
Spirit. Jude 18, 19. 


There was a great earthquake, 
such as was not since men were 
upon the earth, so mighty an earth- 
quake, and so great. 


Rev. 16:18. 


Every mountain and island were 
moved out of their places. 
Rev. 6:14. 


From the uttermost part of the 
earth have we heard songs, even 
glory to the righteous. But I said, 
My leanness, my leanness, woe unto 
me! the treacherous dealers have 
dealt treacherously ; yea, the treach- 
erous dealers have dealt very treach- 
erously. Isa. 24 : 16, 17. 


Psa. 46: 1-3. 


Whose voice then shook the 
earth: but now he hath promised, 
saying, Yet once more I shake not 
the earth only, but also heaven, 

And this word, Yet once more, 
signifieth the removing of those 
things that are shaken, as of things 
that are made, that those things 
which cannot be shaken may re- 
‘main, Heb, 12 :26-28, 


288 STORY 


DELIVERED AT MIDNIGHT. 


The final plague which released 
Israel from Egypt came at mid- 
night. 

Ex. 1174, 5; Ex. 12:20, 31; 42. 

Midnight is given as one of the 
times when we may expect the Lord. 

Mark 13 :32-37. 

At midnight there was a cry 
made, Behold, the bridegroom com- 
eth; go ye out to meet him. 

Matt. 25:6. 

Ina moment shall they die, and 
the people shall be troubled at mid- 
night, and pass away: and the 
mighty shall be taken away without 
hand. Job 34:20. 


Psa. 119 :61, 62. 
Nah. 1:7. 
Zeph. 3:17. 
Isa. 25:9. 


Now know I that the Lord saveth 
his anointed ; he will hear him from 
his holy heaven with the saving 
strength of his right hand. 

Psa. 20:6. 


The Lord hath opened his arm- 
oury, and hath brought forth the 
weapons of his indignation: for 
this is the work of the Lord God of 
hosts in the land of the Chaldeans. 

Come against her from the utmost 
border, open her storehouses: cast 
her up as heaps, and destroy her 
utterly: let nothing of her be left. 

Jer. 50:25, 26. 


In those days, and in that time, 
saith the Lord, the iniquity of Israel 
shall be sought for, and there shall 
be none; and the sins of Judah, 
and they shall not be found: for I 
will pardon them whom I reserve. 

Jer. 50:20. 


Because he hath set his love upon 
me, therefore will I deliver him: I 
will set him on high, because he 
hath known my name. 

Psa, ot : 14. 


la) 


OF THE SEER OF PATMOS. 









It is at midnight that God chooses to del 
His people. Suddenly the storm ceases, the 
darkness disappears, and the sun bursts forth | / 
in all its glory. With blanched faces the 
wicked behold the small cloud in the east,—a 
cloud about the size of a man’s hand, which 
gradually increases. Songs of triumph arise 
from the waiting ones. ‘The Lord is good, a 
stronghold in the day of trouble; and He know- 
eth them that trust in Him.” “The Lord thy 
God in the midst of thee is mighty; He will 
save, He will rejoice over thee with joy; He 
will rest in His love, He will joy over thee-with 
singing.” 

The advancing cloud is greeted with the 
words, “Lo, this is our God; we have waited 
for Him, and He will save us: this is the Lord; 
we have waited for Him, we will be glad and re- 
joice in His salvation.” 

# Babylon, the nation of the earth which has 
long made nations drunk with the wine of her 
fornication, comes in remembrance before God 


‘in her threefold nature, as paganism, papacy, and 


apostate Protestantism, and is made to drink of 
the wine of the wrath of God. 

“Our God is a consuming fire” to all who are 
out of harmony with Him, but those who are 
spiritually one with Him, are caught up to meet 
the Lord in the air, “And so shall we ever be 
with the Lord.” 

This time of trouble is but a short distance 
ahead of us. A soul longing to-day to be near 
the Saviour, will insure a hiding place beneath 
the wing of the Almighty during that time. 





CHAPTER XVIII. 


BABYLON, THE GREAT MYSTERY. 


THE seventeenth chapter of Revelation is a 
divine history of the power represented by the 
beast, which John saw arising from the sea, and 
which is distinguished from all other beasts by 
its seven heads and ten horns with crowns. 
The prophet Daniel wrote the history of 
the world from the standpoint of nations. He 
mentions religion, and especially the people of 
God, but he deals primarily with nations. On 
the other hand, the history presented to John 
on the isle of Patmos was primarily an ecclesi- 
astical history. In order to understand thor- 
oughly the record of events which have taken 
place on earth, it is necessary, therefore, to 
study together the two prophecies of Daniel 
and Revelation, for one is the complement of 
the other. However, in the last days of the 
world’s history, there will be such a close union 
between the church and the state that, in order 
to comprehend the outpouring of the judgments 
of God in the pl-gues, John was given a view of 

19 


Who is like unto the beast? Who 
is able to make war with him? 
Rey. 13:4. 


These great beasts, which are 
four, are four kings, which shall 
arise out of the earth. 

Dan. 7 217. 


Go and take the little book which 
is open in the hand of the angel 
which standeth upon the sea and 
upon the earth. Rev. 10:8. 


So he carried me away in the 
spirit into ‘the wilderness: and I 
saw a woman sit upon a scarlet col- 
oured beast, full of names of blas- 
phemy, having seven heads and ten 
horns. Rev. i7 =3- 


289 


290 


For he doth not afflict willingly 
nor grieve the children of men. 

To crush under his fcet all the 
prisoners of the earth, 

To turn aside the right of a man 
before the face of the most High, 

To subvert a man in his cause, 
the Lord approveth not. 

Lam. 3 :33-36. 

I have written to him the great 
things of my law, but they were 
countce as a strange thing. 

Hos, 8:12. 

They have turned unto me the 
back, and not tne face: though I 
taught them, rising up early and 
teaching them, yet they have not 
hearxened to receive instruction. 

Jer. 32 233. 

Though Babvlon should mount 
up to heaven, and though she 
should fortify the height of ler 
strength, yet from me shall spoil- 
ers come unto hier, saith the Lord. 

Jer. 51 :53- 

POWER AND WORK OF ANGELS. 

Ilcb. 1:14. They minister to 
mant!.ind. 

Rev. 14:18. Power over fire. 

Rev. 16:5. Power over watcr. 

Rev. 21:12. Gatekeepers. 

Dan. 10:16, 20,21; 11:1. Cone 
trol affairs of nations. 

Acts 12:23. Power over disease. 

Dan. 6:22 ; Dan. 9: 20-23 ; Num. 
20:15, Answer prayers. 

Rev. 14:6,8,9. In charge of 
the gospel message. 

Rev. 15:7. In charge of the 
plagues. 

Matt. 24:31. Gather the right- 
eous. 


He increaseth the nations, and 
destroyeth them: he enlargeth the 
nations, and straiteneth them again. 

Job 12:23. 


A fool despiseth his father’s in- 
struction: but ine that regardcth re- 
proof is prudent. Prov. 15:5. 


Let favour be shewed to the 
wicked, yet will he not learn right- 
eousness; in the land of upright- 
ness will he deal unjustly, and will 
not behoid the majesty of the Lord. 

Isa, 26 310, 


STORY OF THE SEER OF PATMOS. 


* 





plagues come as the result of a certain course 
action. God does not arbitrarily withdraw His — 
mercy from the earth, and torment men because 
He has the power to do so. Divine law has 
been revealed to man age after age; and yet, 
contrary to that law, men and nations have 
paved the way for thcir own destruction. In 
the history of every nation which has arisen and 
fallen, God has given an o»ject lesson to the 
world of the ultimate results of continued dis- 
obedience to laws which rule in the universe, 
and in harmony with which, alone, the universe 
itself continues to exist. 

ter showing John the destruction which 
comes when the last cord of mercy binding 
heaven and earth is broken, one of the angels, 
holding the vial, in which was one of the plagues, 
came to the prophet, to give him a reason for 
the terrors which had just been portrayed. 
This angel controls certain elements, the proper 
working of which, preserves life. From the 
beginning of history, he has watched the growth 
of nations. He has secn them rise in beauty 
and strength, prosper for a period, and suddenly 
disappear, as if the earth had opened and swal- 
lowed them ; and immediately in the same place 
another nation would arise, repeat the same 
deeds, and after a bricf space, cease to be. Yet 
man did not learn wisdom, although God sought 
by these providences, and by His whole system 
of revelations, to warn him against certain 
pitfalls. Only a few scattered individuals from 
each generation have heard the voice of Heaven, 
and have been saved. 
~ Qne of the seven angels which had the vials 








4, }889q P2Io]Od Ja]Ivos eB uodn ys URUIOM & Mes T,, 








BABYLON, THE GREAT MYSTERY. 


full of the wrath of God, carried John into a 
secluded spot, where, undisturbed, he could 
understand the history, viewing it as from a 
mountain peak, where each object was seen in 
its relation to every other object. And he 
saw a whore, a prostitute woman, arrayed in 
gorgeous apparel, in purple and scarlet color, 
decked with gold and precious stones and pearls, 
carrying a golden cup in her hand full of 
abominations and filthiness of her fornication. 
Woman was the crowning work of the Creator, 
when she came from the Maker’s hand, God 
Himself pronounced her very good. She who 
was the highest, falls the lowest in sin, and as 
her power for good is unlimited when God 
directs, so she drags men to the brink of hell 
when her heart is possessed by Satan. A pure 
woman represents the church of Christ ; a pros- 
titute represents this church when it turns from 
its lawful husband, and commits adultery with 
the kings of the earth. “Fine linen, clean and 
white,” is the apparel for the wife of our Lord, 
but when the character is lost, earth’s eye is 
attracted by the purple and scarlet colors, the 
gold and precious stones. Purity of life is what 
God wants; royal apparel and wealth are what 
the world seeks. The whore sitteth upon many 
waters, wielding a wide influence, causing multi- 
tudes to worship at her shrine; for, said the 
angel, “The waters which thou sawest, where 
the whore sitteth, are peoples, and multitudes, 
and nations, and tongues.” From all the earth 
come those who pay their money to this base 
creature, and drink from the golden cup which 
she holds in her hand. Some have drunk once 
aS an experiment, but having tasted her wine, 


291 


And there came one of the seven 
angels which had the seven vials, 
and talked with me, saying unto 
me, Come hither; | willshew unto 
thee the judgment of the great 
wnore that sitteth upon many 
waters: 

With whom the kings of the 
earth have committed fornication, 
and the inhabitants of the earth 
have been made drunk with the 
wine of her fornication. 

So he carried me away in the 
spirit into the wilderness: and I 
saw a woman sit upon a scarlet 
coloured beast, full of names of 
blasphemy, having seven heads 
and ten horns, 

And the woman was arrayed in 
purple and scarlet colour, and 
decked with gold and precious 
stones and pearls, having a golden 
cup in her hand full of abomina- 
tions and filthiness of her fornica» 
tion. Rev. 17 : 1-4. 


God saw every thing that he had 
made, and, behold, it was very good. 
Gen. 1:31. 


For I am jealous over you with 
godly jealousy: for I have es- 
poused you to one husband, that I 
may present you as a chaste virgin 
to Christ. 2 Cor. 11:2. 


The king’s daughter is all glori- 
ous within: her clothing is of 
wrought gold. 

She shall be brought unto the 
king in raiment of needlework: 
the virgins her companions that 
follow her-shall be brought unto 
thee. Psa. 45 213, 14. 

Blessed are the pure in heart : for 
they shall see God. Matt. 5:8. 

O thou that dwellest upon many 
waters, abundant in treasures, thine 
end is come, and the measure of thy - 
covetousness. Jer. 52x35 


Rev. 17:15. 


Babylon hath been a golden cup 
in the Lord’s hand, that made all 
the earth drunken : the nations have 
drunken of her wine ; therefore the 
nations are mad. Jer. 51:7. 


292 STORY 


Ye adulterers and adulteresses, 
know ye not that the friendship of 
the world is enmity with God? who- 
soever therefore will be a friend of 
the world is the enemy of God. 

Jakdes 


And upon her forehead was a 
name written, MYSTERY, BABYLON 
THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF 
HARLOTS AND ABOMINATIONS OF 
THE EARTH. Rev. 17 : 6. 


I saw, and behold a white horse : 
and he that sat on him hada bow; 
and a crown was given unto him: 
and he went forth conquering, and 
to conquer, Rev. 6:2. 


Nevertheless I have somewhat 
against thee, because thou hast left 
thy first love. Revoozza. 


So hast thou also them that hold 
the doctrine of the Nicolaitanes, 
which thing I hate. Rev. 2:15. 


Rey. 2: 12-29. 


For I know this, that after my 
departing shall grievous wolves 
enter in among you, not sparing the 
flock. 

Also of your own selves shall men 
arise, speaking perverse things, to 
draw away disciples after them. 

Acts 20:29, 30. 


Elymas the sorcerer (for so is his 
name by interpretation) withstood 
them, seeking to turn away the dep- 
uty from the faith. Acts 13:8. 


Their word will eat as doth a 
canker: of whom is Hymenzus and 
Philetus ; 

Who concerning the truth have 
erred, saying that the resurrection 
is past already ; and overthrow the 
faith of some. 2 Tim. 2:17, 18. 


I wrote unto the church: but Di- 
otrephes, who loveth to have the 
preeminence among them, recciveth 
us not. 3 John 9. 





they are intoxicated. The picture is that of t 
orgies of ancient Babylon or the mysteries of 
Greece. “The kings of the earth have com- 
mitted fornication, and the inhabitants of the 
earth have been made drunk with the wine of 
her fornication.” 

On the forehead of the woman was a name 
written, “Mystery, Babylon The Great, The 
Mother Of Harlots And Abominations Of The 
Earth,’ This is the mystery of iniquity, which 
Paul said was at work in the days when he 
wrote to the Thessalonians. 

The apostolic church is represented as a 
chaste virgin clad in white linen. The history 
of the seven churches of the second and third 
chapters of Revelation, describes the decline. 
The first love was lost, and that made it easy to 
commit fornication. ‘The church tolerated those 
who held false doctrines, and certain sects of 
philosophers who applied the reason of the 
Greeks to the study of God’s Word. The sim- 
plicity of early days was changed for worldly 
habits, teachings, and ways of living. The in- 
ward change may be read in the outward mani- 
festations in the churches of Pergamos and 
Thyatira. Paganism walked bodily into the 
church, and the leader of Paganism claimed the 
once pure church as his bride. A false spirit of 
prophecy, false interpretation of the Scriptures, 
the exaltation of reason, the love of worldly 
ways, the desire for money and positions in the 
government, and finally a demand for the crown 
itself,—these are what wrought the change from 
purity, simplicity, and gentleness, to the con- 
dition of the prostitute. 

The change was not wrought ina day. For 








BABYLON, THE GREAT MYSTERY. 


five centuries after Christ sent out His first 
disciples, the transformation was going on. 
Again and again during that time, Christ, like a 
true husband, sought the return of His church. 
“Thou hast played the harlot with many lovers ; 
yet return again to Me, saith the Lord. Lift up 
thine eyes unto the high places, and see where 
thou hast not been lien with. In the ways hast 
thou sat for them, as the Arabian in the wilder- 
ness ; and thou hast polluted the land with thy 
whoredoms and with thy wickedness. Therefore 
the showers have been withholden, and there 
hath been no latter rain; and thou hast a 
whore’s forehead, thou refusedst to be ashamed. 

. . . And I said after she hath done all 
these things, turn thou unto Me.” Hearken 
unto the pleading of Jehovah with His church, 
and judge whether or not He views the plagues 
with pleasure. “ Return, thou backsliding Israel, 
saith the Lord ; and I will not cause Mine anger 
to fall upon you: for I am merciful, saith the 
Lord, and I will not keep anger forever.” But 
the church heeded not the call to return. 
Through the days of Constantine she made 
greater advances until she took her seat on the 
beast. ‘This was Mystery, Babylon the Great, 
the mother of harlots, and abominations of the 
earth.” She who had once been a golden cup 
in the Lord’s hand, filled with the wine of His 
love, which heaven through her had offered to 
the world, turned from Him, decked herself 
with worldliness, and held to the lips of her 
admirers a golden cup full of poison. She had 
fallen, and those who drank of her wine fell 
also, 

For twelve hundred and sixty years the 


293 


O Israel, retum unto the Lord 
thy God ; for thou hast failen by 
thine iniquity. 

Take with you words, and turn to 
the Lord : say unto him, Take away 
all iniquity, and receive us gra- 
ciously: so will we render the 
calves of our lips. 

I will heal their backsliding, I 
will love them freely: for mine 
anger is turned away from him. 

ELOS. 340, 25 40 

Jer. 3 :2-7. 

Cursed is the ground for thy sake ; 
in sorrow shalt thou eat of it all the 
days of thy life. Gen. 3:17. 

The earth also is defiled under 
the inhabitants thereof; because 
they have transgressed the laws, 
changed the ordinance, broken the 
everlasting covenant. Isa. 24:5. 

Say unto them, As I live, saith 
the Lord God, I have no pleasure in 
the death of the wicked; but that 
the wicked turn from his way and 
live: turn ye, turn ye from your evil 
ways ; for why will ye die, O house 
of Israel? Eze. 33 :11. 

For their mother hath played the 
harlot : she that conceived them hath 
done shamefully: for she said, I 
will go after my lovers, that give 
me my bread and my water, my 
wool and my flax, mine oil and my 
drink, Hos. 2:5. 


And | saw the woman drunken 
with the blood of the saints, and 
with the blood of the martyrs of 
Jesus: and when/ saw her, / won- 
dered with great admiration. 

And the angel said unto me, 
Wherefore didst thou marvel? # 
will tell thee the mystery of the 
woman, and of the beast that car- 
rieth her, which hath the seven 
heads and ten horns. 

The beast that thou sawest was, 
and is not; and shall ascend out 
of the bottomless pit, and go into 
perdition: and they that dwell on 
the earth shall wonder, whose 
names were not written In the 
book of life from the foundation 
of the world, when they behold the 
beast that was, and is not, and 
yet is. Rev. 17 : 6-8. 


204 STORY 


And here is the mind which hath 
wisdom. The seven heads are 
seven mountains, on which the 
woman sitteth. 


And there are seven 
kings: five are fallen, and 
one is, and the other is 
not yet come; and when 
he cometh, he must con- 
tinue a short space. 

Rev, 17 : 6-10, 


He shall wear out the 
saints of the most High, 
Dan. 7 :25. 


Wheresoever the children of men 
dwell, the beasts of the field and 
the fowls of the heaven hath he 
given into thine hand, and hath 
made thee ruler over them all. 
Thou art this head of gold. 

Dan. 2:33. 

All that dwell upon the earth 
shall worship him, whose names 
are not written in the book of life of 
the Lamb. Rev. 13:8. 


He opened his mouth in blas- 
phemy against God, to blaspheme 
his name, and his tabernacle, and 
them that dwell in heaven. 

Rey. 13:6. 


Who opposeth and exalteth him- 
self above-all that is called God, or 
that is worshipped ; so that he as 
God sitteth in the temple of God, 
shewing himself that he is God, 

2 Thess. 2:4. 


Thus saith the Lord, Learn not 
the way of the heathen, and be not 
dismayed at the signs of heaven ; 
for the heathen are dismayed at 
them. 

For the customs of the people 
are vain, Jer. 10:2, 3. 


Take heed to thyself that thou be 
not snared by following them, after 
that they be destroyed from before 
thee ; and that thou inquire not after 
their gods, saying, How did these 
nations serve their gods? even so 
will I do likewise. Deut. 12:30, 


OF THE SEER OF PATMOS. . 





whore, from her capital at Rome, the seven 
hilled city, controlled the nations of Europe. 
She offered them her wine. Most men drank 





Rome, the 
seven-hilled 
city. 


freely, and partook of her sins without restraint ; 
but when man, or nation refused, he paid the 
penalty with his lifeblood. “The woman (was) 
drunken with the blood of the saints, and with 
the blood of the martyrs of Jesus.” “The 
woman which thou sawest is that great city, 
which reigneth over the kings of the earth.” 
It was the power which dominated Europe for 
forty-two months, of which Daniel, the prophet, 
says, “He shall speak great words against the 
most High, and shall wear out the saints of the 
most High, and think to change times and laws ; 
and they shall be given into his hand until a 
time and times and the dividing of times.” 
This is an inspired picture of the church which 
started out pure, but soon mingled the true 
religion with paganism. She first asked aid of 
the nations, then took the reins of government, 
and ruled both kings and nations. God calls 


BABYLON, THE GREAT MYSTERY. 


this church a whore, “Mystery, Babylon the 
Great, the mother of harlots.” 

Governments are ordained of God, and rulers 
are His ministers to execute wrath upon evil 
doers, and to minister good to those who do 
right. As long as sin exists on earth there will 
be governments, but their province is to deal 
with acts, not thoughts and motives. To the 
evil doer only, they are divinely appointed a 
terror. In all pagan nations the religion is under 
the government, and the gods are worshiped be- 
cause the government so ordains. This was true 
in all the heathen kingdoms, Babylon, Persia, 
Greece, and Rome, until after the birth of 
Christ. So in each of these monarchies, the 
devil sought to destroy the truth, and those who 
adhered to it. The history of these nations is 
but the record of this attempt. Each govern- 
ment was an attempt on the part of Satan to 
rival the government of heaven, and the utter 
failure of the attempt put the prince of this 
world to open shame before the rulers of other 
worlds, when Christ came into His own territory, 
and built up a spiritual kingdom within the hearts 
of the subjects of Rome itself. When at the 
crucifixion of Christ, Satan was cast from the 
council of the representatives of worlds, knowing 
that his time was short, he revolutionized his for- 
mer methods, and made governments subject to 
the religious organization. This revolution was 
a slow process. It was begun soon after the 
death of Christ. The master hand, which had 
swayed nations since creation, worked in two 
directions, hoping that when his forces met he 
would have accomplished what he had failed to 
accomplish heretofore. 


295 


Let every soul be subject unto - 
the higher powers. For there is no 
power but of God: the powers that 
be are ordained of God. 

Whosoever therefore resisteth the 
power, resisteth the ordinance of 
God: and they that resist shall re- 
ceive to themselves damnation. 

For rulers are not a terror to 
good works, but to the evil. Wilt 
thou then not be afraid of the 
power? do that which is good, and 
thou shalt have praise of the same. 

Rom. 13 : 1-3. 


A drought is upon her waters ; and 
they shall be dricd up: for it is the 
land of graven images, and they are 
mad upon their idols. 

Jer. 50:38. 


The king spake, and said, Is not 
this great Babylon, that I have 
built for the house of the kingdom 
by the might of my power, and for 
the honour of my majesty ? 

Dan. 4:30 


Jesus answered, My kingdom is 
not of this world: if ray kingdom 
were of this world, then would my 
servants fight, that I should not be 
delivered to the Jews: but now is 
my kingdom not from hence. 

John 18 :36. 


Now is the judgment of this 
world: now shall the prince of this 
world be cast out. John 12:21. 


For we wrestle not against flesh 
and blood, but against principal- 
ities, against powers, against the 
rulers of the darkness of this world, 
against spiritual wickedness in high 
places, Eph, 6:12. 


296 


As concerning the rest of the 
beasts, they had their dominion 
taken away: yet their lives were 
prolonged for a season and time. 

Dan, 7 : 12. 


There are seven kings: five are 
fallen, and one is, and the other is 
not yet come ; and when he cometh, 
he must continue a short space. 

Rev. 17:10. 


In his estate shall stand up a vile 
person, to whom they shall not give 
the honour of the kingdom: but he 
shall come in peaceably, and obtain 
the kingdom by flatteries. 

Dan, 11:21. 


I saw a woman sit upon a scarlet 
coloured beast, full of names of blas- 
phemy, having seven heads and ten 


horns. Rev. 17:3. 


After this I saw in the night vis- 
ions, and behold a fourth beast, 
dreadful and terrible, and strong 
exceedingly ; andit had great iron 
teeth: it devoured and brake in 
pieces, and stamped the residue 
with the feet of it: and it was di- 
verse from all the beasts that were 
before it ; and it had ten horns. 

I considered the horns, and, be- 
hold, there came up among them 
another little horn, before whom 
there were three of the first horns 
plucked up by the roots: and, be- 
hold, in this horn were eyes like the 
eyes of man, anda mouth speaking 
great things. Dan. 7:7, 8. 


isavig ins 
Jer. 51:24, 25. 
Zech. 4:7. 
Rev. 17:12. 


Whereas thou sawest the feet and 
toes, part of potters’ clay, and part 
of iron, the kingdom shall be di- 
vided ; but there shall be in it of 
the strength of the iron, forasmuch 
as thou sawest the iron mixed with 
miry clay. ; 

And as the toes of the feet were 
part of iron, and part ofclay,so the 
kingdom shall be partly strong, and 
partly broken. Dan, 2 341, 42. 





tress of the world in the days of the Saviour. 


In its development, all the known forms of 
administration had been tested, and the very 
essence of the strong features from each of the 
preceding kingdoms had been combined in the 
Roman Empire. The changes from the rule of 
a king to the consuls, the tribunes, the decem- 
virs, and then to the triumvirs, and finally the 
revolution which turned it into an empire, had 
each placed the nation more completely under 
the control of the principles of that prince who 
strove to exalt his throne above God. The his- 
tory of Rome shows this to be true. The 
complete suppression of individuality, and the 
exaltation of the state, were as nearly accom- 
plished in Rome as in any earthly government. 

Then the mystery of iniquity changed the 
church from a pure woman to a harlot, and 
seated her on the beast. The beast had seven 
heads and ten horns, identifying it with the gov- 
ernment of the Western Roman Empire, de- 
scribed in the thirteenth chapter of Revelation 
and in the seventh chapter of Daniel. More- 
over, the angel gave John the interpretation; 
for, said he, “The seven heads are seven moun- 
tains,’ mountains being a familiar symbol of 
governments used by Isaiah, Jeremiah, and 
Zechariah. The seven forms of government 
have already been mentioned. ‘The ten horns 
are ten kings which (in the days of 
John) have received no kingdom as yet.” 
These are the ten divisions of the Roman Em- 
pire, prophesied of in the eighth chapter of 
Revelation, and symbolized by the mixture of 
iron and clay in the image of Dan. 2:42-44, 


. . . 


BABYLON, THE GREAT MYSTERY. —_207 


which helped to prepare the beast to be ridden by 
the woman, the church, when she was ready to 
mount it. The ten divisions were formed before 
A.D. 476. Between A.D. 533, when Justinian 
published his decree, recognizing the head of the 
Roman diocese as head of the govern- 
ment of Rome, and A. D. 538, when the 
last obstacle in the form of a rival power 
was taken out of the way in Italy, the 
woman mounted the beast. Hence- 
forth lordly Rome, which, like Babylon 
of old, had prided itself upon the fact 
that it was the master of the world, 
was guided and controlled by a fros- 
zitute woman. ‘This in the eyes of na- 
tions would be considered the basest of 
things. The woman who would so rule, 
would have gone beyond all bounds of 


The ten horns out of this king- 
dom are ten kings that shall arise: 
and another shall rise after them ; 
and he shall be diverse from the 
first, and he shall subdue three 
kings. Dan. 7:24. 


Luke 2:1. 























propriety, and the nation so ruled would 
be pitied for its absolute loss of self-re- 
pect. If this is true in the actual relationships 
of life, how must it have appeared in the eyes of 
heaven, when the very principles in accord- 
ance with which nature was created, were 
so revolutionized as to make this condition of 
things possible? But the devil was_ foiled. 
This was his masterpiece. Amalgamation of 
species, a thing contrary to divine law, and self 
destruction in the end, was practical in Rome. 
The woman became the mother of harlots. The 
ten horns, or kingdoms, have one mind with the 
beast, and give their strength unto the beast. 


The woman was drunk with the blood ofa: 


saints ; this was represented by the SC let Cio 
of the beast upon which she rode. “Rome, as a 
pagan nation, often shed blood ; all thé universal 

















Justinian. 


As for my people, children are 
their oppressors, and women rule 
over them. O my people, they 
which lead thee cause thee to err, 
and destroy the way of thy paths. 

Isa 3 i202. 


For the leaders of this people 
cause them to err; and they that 
are led of them are destroyed. 

Isa. g 15. 


Whosoever lieth with a beast 
shall surely be put to death. 
Ex. 22:19. 


For they have shed the blood of 
saints and prophets, and thou hast 
given them blood_to drink ; for they 
are worthy, ie Rev. 16:6. 
¢ 

rit was! given unto hint to make 
“war-with=the saints;"and to over- 

come them: and power was given 
him over all kindreds, and tongues, 
and nations. Rev. 13:7. 


208 STORY 


And the beast that was, and is 
not, even hels the eiyhth, and isof 
the seven, and gucth inio perdition. 

And the ten hurns witch thou 
sawestare ten kings, wiich have 
received no kinguoin as yct; but 
receive power as kings one hour 
with the beust. 

These have one mird, and shell 
give their power ana strength unto 
the beast. 

These shall make war with the 
Lamb, and the Lamb shcil ovcr- 
come thent: for he is Lora of /oras, 
and King of kings: and they tnat 
are with him are called, and 
chosen, cnd faithful. 

And he saith unto me, The waters 
which thou sawest, where the 
whore siiteth, are pcoplcs, and 
multitudes, and nations, and 
tongues. 

And the ten horns which thou 
sawest upon the bcest, these shcill 
hate the whore, and shcll mcle 
her ccsolate and naked, and shell 
eat her flesh, and burn her with 
fire. 

For Cod hath put in their hearts 
to fulfl Lis will, end to agree, cnd 
give their kingdom unto the tccst, 
until the words of God shall be 
fulfled. 

And the woman which thou saw- 
est is that great city, which reign= 
eth over the kings of the ecrth, 

Rev. 17 :11-18. 


The earth helped the woman, 
and the earth opened her mouth, 
and swallowed up the flood which 
the dragon cast out of his mouth, 

Rev. 12:16, 

I saw three unclean spirits like 
frogs come out of the mouth of the 
dragon, and out of the mouth of the 
beast, and out of the mouth of the 
false prophet. 

For they are the spirits of devils, 
working miracles, which go forth 
unto the king.of the earth and of 
the whole world, te. gather them to 
the battle of that great du; of Ged 
Almighty. Rev. 16:13, 14. 

Wherefore they came again, and: 
toldhim. And he said, This is the 


word of the Lord, wh:ich he spake 
by his servant Elijah the Tishbite, 


OF THE SEER OF PATMOS, 
- 


kingdoms came into power by the shedding of 
blood; but neither the lion, the bear, nor the 
leopard were scarlet colored. The nation was 
painted red with the blood of martyrs when 
the government submitted itself to the ecclesi- 
stical powcr, and the church made war with 
the saints. During the twelve hundred and 
sixty ycars of tyranny, the church claimed that 
it never took the life of a single individual. 
The church mercly decided who were hereties,— 
so they arguc,—and the s¢efe exccuted the 
judgment. The beast ridden by the woman 
cannot do otherwise than carry out her will. 
Thus Rome became a scarlet beast. 

That there mizht be no mistaking the scarlet 
colored beast, the angel explained still further. 
THe spolze of it to John as “the beast that was, 
and is not, even he is the eighth, and is of the 
seven.” Throughout the history of the first five 
heads, paganism was the prevailing element; in 
the sixth, the empire, it was still the ruling 
principle; during the papacy, the seventh, it dis- 
appeared to all outward appearances, but was 
nevertheless the controlling power; for the 
papacy is baptised paganism. 

Following the IRcformation, when the whore 
was hated by the horns, the papacy was 
crushed ; but in the last days the principles of 
paganism as shown in Spiritualism, the supreme 
manifestation of which will be the personal 
appearance of the devil, who claims to be the 
Christ; and of the papacy and of the false 

sprophet, the daughters of Babylon, the mother 
eS Sariots, will all stand forth in the earth as 
persecuting powcrs to oppress the pcople of 
God. ‘These forces will gather at Armageddon, 





& 


and upon these the plagues fall. They ascend 
out of the bottomless pit; for they are foreign 
to God and have no place in heaven; they go 
into perdition; for they have defied the God of 
heaven; they have turned from every principle 
of life, and they die the death of a harlot, cursed 
by their own course of action, haviag contami- 
nated all with whom they came in contact. 

The entire existence of these governments 
has been in open conflict with the Lamb. God 
has sent unto them prophets and wise men, and 
even His own Son, and they have slain them 
all. But at His coming they are slain by the 
brightness of His countenance. Truth, when 
allowed to shine forth in its strength, consumes 
error, and the beast and the image and the false 

prophet go into the lake of fire, together with 

the Dragon, that old Serpent, and Satan, who 
has inspired all against the God of truth and 
love. This is the history, and this is the end, 
of the union of Church and State. 


BABYLON, THE GREAT MYSTERY. 


299 


saying, In the portion of Jezreel 
shall dogs eat the flesh of Jezebel 
And the carcase of- Jezebel shall 
be as dung upon the face of the 
field in the portion of Jezreel; so 
that they shall not say, This is Jez- 
ebel, 2 Kings 9: 36, 37. 


Hear the word of the Lord, ye 
children of Israel: for the Lord 
hath a controversy with the inhabi- 
tants of the land, because there is 
no truth, nor mercy, nor knowledge 
of God in the land. Hos. 4:1. 


Which of the prophets have not 
your fathers persecuted? and they 
have slain them which shewed be- 
fore of the coming of the Just One ; 
of whom ye have been now the be- 
trayers and murderers, 3 

Acts 7:52. 


The beast was taken, and with 
him the false prophet that wrought 
miracles before him, with which he 
deceived them that had received the 
mark of the beast, and them that 
worshipped his image. These both 
were cast alive into a lake of fire 
burning with brimstone. 

Rev. 19 :20, 








* 


Hew is the faithful city become 
an harlot! it was full of judgment ; 
righteousness lodged in it; but now 
murderers. Isa. 1221. 


From the sole of the foot even 
unto the head there is no soundness 
in it; but wounds, and bruises, and 
putrifying sores: they have not 
been closed, neither bound up, nei- 
ther mollified with ointment, 

Isa. 1:6. 


By the word of God the heavens 
were of old, and the earth standing 
out of the water and in the water: 

Whereby the world that then was, 
beiug overtlowed with water, per- 
‘shed. pers 550s 


The Lord said unto Noah, Come 
thou and all thy house into the ark ; 
for thee have I seen righteous be- 
tore me in this generation. 


Gen. 7:1. 


Noah lived after the flood three 
hundred and fifty years. 
Gen, 9:28. 


300 





CHAPTER: 2x. 


BE YE SEPARATE. 


Tue vileness of a union of the Christian 
church with the state, is depicted in chapter 
seventeen. When the church that was once 
pure, united with the government of Rome, and 
was known as the papacy, God called her Babylon 
the Great, the Mother of Harlots, He showed by 
the angels who hold the vials of His wrath, that, 
as loathsome disease is the physical penalty paid 
for the life of a harlot, so the seven last plagues 
are the natural results of the spiritual fornica- 
tion of which the church is guilty when the 
name Babylon is applicable to her. 

This name carries the mind back to the origin 
of the expression, in the first century this side 
of the flood. The earth had been depopulated 
because of the vileness of its inhabitants, and 
Noah and his sons alone remained alive. Noah 
was still living when his descendants gathered 
in the valley of the Euphrates and founded a 
city. God told them to scatter over the face of 


a4 4 oie z 

art 1 ay : , 
Se Sees : 
tenets BE YE SEPARATE. 
" - "ais . 

~ the earth, but they congregated in one place. 


- They began building the tower with the idea 


of defeating the God of heaven, should He again 
attempt to destroy man by a flood. The spirit 
of self-exaltation, born of Lucifer himself, took 
possession of the men of the valley of the 
Euphrates, and they openly defied their Maker. 

Their iniquity reached unto heaven, and God 
came down to visit them. His coming brought 
confusion and consternation; and the languages 
of men were confounded so that they could not 
understand one another. Then the name Babel 
was applied, which means confusion. 

But the devil determined not to be defeated 
in his purpose of exaltation; and surrounding 
the site of this ancient monument, which never 
reached completion, he built, sixteen hundred 
years later, the city of Babylon, which became 
the capital of the world. This kingdom is used 
to illustrate the evil of the state church in the 
end of time The sins of the ancient city are 
repeated by the last church, and its overthrow is 
the object lesson, to the world, of the final de- 
struction of the whole world when Christ comes 
down, because her iniquity has reached heaven: 
The figure is followed throughout the eighteenth 
chapter of Revelation ; and by comparing scrip- 
ture with scripture, the grevious sins of modern 
Babylon stand out in such awful distinctness 
that they justify the judgments of God as meted 
out in the plagues. Such a study opens the 
mind to the meaning of the cry of the mighty 
angel, referred to in verses one and two. 

The sins of Babylon are almost beyond num- 
ber; but some are pointed out with distinctness 
by the spirit of mspiration. God’s dwelling 


301. 


They said, Go to, let us build us 
a city anda tower, whose top may 
reach unto heaven ; and let us make 
us a name, lest we be scattered 
abroad upon the face of the whole 
earth. Gen. 11:4. 


Gen, 9:1. 
ORIGIN OF NATIONS, 


Every family formed the nucleus 
of a nation and had a language of 
their own. The descendants of 
Japheth formed ten nations. 


By these were the isles of the 
Gentiles divided in their lands; 
every one after his tongue, after 
their families, in their nations. 

Gen. 10:5. 

The descendants of Ham formed 
twenty-six nations. 

These are the sons of Ham, after 
their families, after their tongues, 
in their countries, and in their na- 
tions. Gen. 10: 20. 


The descendants of Shem formed 
twenty-three nations. 


These are the sons of Shem, after 
their families, after their tongues, 
in their lands, after their nations. 

These are the families of the sons 
of Noah, after their generations, in 
their nations: and by these were 
the nations divided in the earth 
after the flood. Gen. 10:31, 32. 


Rev. 14:8. 
Isa. 21 *g, 10. 


And after these things / saw an- 
other angel come down from 
heaven, having great power; and 
the earth was lightened with his 
glory. 

And he cried mightily with a 
strong voice, saying, Babylon the 
great is fallen, is fallen, and is 
become the habitation of devils, 
and the hold of every foul spirit, 
and a cage of every unclean and 
hateful bird. 

For all nations have drunk of the 
wine of the wrath of her fornica- 
tion, and the kings of the earth 
have committed fornication with 
her, and the merchants of the 
earth are waxed rich through the 
abundance of her delicacies. 

Rev, 18 : 1-3. 


302 


Isa. 47:7-9. 

Zeph, 2:15. 

Hos. 2:19, 20.. 

And | heard another voice from 
heaven, saying, Come out of her, 
my people, that ye be not partak- 
ers of her sins, and that ye re- 
ceive not of her plagues. 

For her sins have reached unto 
heaven, and God hath remembered 
her iniquities. 

Reward her even as she re- 
warded you, and double unto her 
double according to her works: 





Crowned with a crown of thorns. 


in the cup which she hath filled 
fill to her double. 


How much she hath glorified her 
self, and lived deliciously, so much 
torment and sorrow give her: for 
she saith in her heart, | sit a 
queen, and amno widow, ana shall 
see no sorrow, 


Therefore shall her plagues come 
in one day, death, and mourning, 
and famine ; and she shall be ut- 
terly burned with fire: for strong 
is the Lord God who judgeth her. 

And the kings of the earth, who 
have committed fornication and 
lived deliciously with her, shall 
bewail her, and lament for her, 
when they shall see the smoke of 
her burning, 

Standing afar off for the fear 


STORY OF THE SEER OF PATMOS, 






place is in the humble, contrite heart; “For 
thus saith the high and lofty One that inhab- 
iteth eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell in 
the high and holy place, with him also that is of 
a contrite and humble spirit.” Babylon made 
the boast, “I sit a queen, and am no widow, and 
shall see no sorrow.” God claimed the church 
as His wife, but she forsook her lawful husband, 


and played the harlot with the kings of the 


earth. Then she said boastingly, “I 
sit a queen.” This was literally true 
of the city of Babylon, which was known 
as the queen of the earth. But in the 
same proportion that she had highly ex- 
alted herself, so was her fall, when the 
Lord withdrew His supporting hand. 
God never intended that the church 
should have anything to do with govern- 
ments. His life on earth is a living 
example of what His followers should 
do and be. He reigned over a spiritual 
kingdom, when physically He had not a 
place to lay His head; He was clothed 
with the garments of righteousness, spotless and 
pure, although physically, He had but a travel 
stained robe; or was clothed by the mocking 
priests in a cast-off purple garment, and crowned 
with a crown of thorns. Union with the kings of 
earth, made it necessary to put on the apparel 
of the world; for an earthly queen is supposed 
to dress as royalty dress; and when supported 
by all the kings of the earth, the wealth at her 
command was unbounded. What need had she 
for the spiritual wealth which comes through 
Christ? © 

The city of Babylon was called the golden 


_nations. 


- Sodom and Gomorrah. 


BE YE SEPARATE. 


city, “ The beauty of the Chaldees’ excellency,” 
“the exactress of gold.” She ruled over all the 
““Wheresoever the children of men 
dwell, the beasts of the field and the fowl of the 
heavens hath He given into thine hands.” The 
commerce of the world was controlled by this 
one power; and the wealth of the East and the 
West was laid at her feet. She sent ships to 
the islands for their spices and to the land of 
Ophir for its gold. The elephants of India and 
Ceylon yielded their ivory for her palaces and 
the ships of Tyre brought metals from the mines 
of Spain and the shores of the Mediterranean. 
Her lofty structures were built by slaves from 
captive nations. Her kings, like all Oriental 
monarchs, were absolute in their authority, and 
the bodies and souls of men were in bondage to 
great Babylon. 

Her treatment of the Jewish race, who for 
seventy years were held as’slaves, was rewarded 
by the complete downfall of the kingdom. 
First, it fell into the hands of a stronger power ; 
but the prophecies concerning her downfall 
depicted complete ruin, and travellers to-day 
corroborate the words of Isaiah, ‘‘ Babylon, the 
glory of kingdoms, the beauty of the Chaldees’ 
excellency, shall be as when God overthrew 
It shall never be inhab- 
ited, neither shall it be dwelt in from generation 
to generation: neither shall the Arabian pitch 
tent there; neither shall the shepherds make 
their fold there. But wild beasts of the desert 
shall lie here; and their houses shall be full of, 
dolefull creatures; and owls shall dwell there 
and satyrs shall dance there. And the wild 
beasts of the islands shall cry in their desolate 


303 


of her torment, saying, Alas, alas 
that great city BaSylon, that 
mighty city! for in one hour is 
thy judgment come. 

Rev. 18 : 4-10. 


The devil said unto him, All 
this power will I give thee, and the 
glory of them: for that is delivered 
unto me ; and to whomsoever I will 
I give it. Luke 4:6. 

That thou shalt take up this 
proverb against the king of Babylon, 
and say, How hath the oppressor 
ceased | the golden city ceased ! 

Isa. 14 34. 

And the merchants of the earth 
Shall weep and mourn over her; 
for no man buyeth their merchan- 
dise any more: 

The merchandise of gold, and 
silver, and precious stones, and of 
pearls, and fine linen, and purple, 
and silk, and scarlet, and all 
thyine wood, and all manner ves- 
sels of ivory, and all manner ves- 
sels of most precious wood, and of 
brass, and iron, and mar5le, 

And cinnamon, and odours, and 
ointments, and frankincense, and 
wine, and oil, and fine fiaur, and 
wheat, and beasts, and sheep, and 
horses, and chariots, and slaves, 
and souls of men. 

And the fruits that thy soul 
lusted after are departcd from 
thee, and all things which were 
dainty and goodly are dcpartcd 
from thee, and thou shalt find 
them no more at all. 

The merchants of these things, 
which were made rich by her, shall 
stand afar off for the fear cf her 
torment, weeping and wailing, 

And saying, Alas, alas that 
great city, that was clothed in fine 
linen, and purple, and scarlet, and 
decked with gold, and precious 
stones, and pearls! 

For in one hour so great riches 
is come to nought. And every ship- 
master, and all the company in 
ships, and sailors, and as many as 
trade by sea, stood afar off, 

And cried when they saw the 
smoke of her burning, saying, 
What city is like unto this great 
city! Rev. 18 : 11-18. 


304 STORY 


Her cities are a desolation, a dry 
land, and a wilderness, a land 
wherein no man dwelleth, neither 
doth any son of man pass thereby. 

And I will punish Bel in Babylon, 
and I will bring forth out of his 
mouth that which he hath swal- 
lowed up: and the nations shall not 
flow together any more unto him: 
yea, the wall of Babylon shall fall. 

Jer. 51:43, 44. 


Jer. 50:39. 





Supposed site of ancient Babylon. 


Jer. 51:49, 58. 


And thou shalt say, Thus shall 
Babylon sink, and shall not rise 
from the evil that I will bring upon 
her: and they shall be weary. 
Thus far are the words of Jeremiah. 

Jer. 51 259-64. 


As God overthrew Sodom and 
Gomorrah and the neighbour cities 
thereof, saith the Lord; so shall 
no man abide there, neither shall 
any son of man dweil therein. 

Jer. 50:40. 


OF THE SEER OF PATMOS. 





houses, and dragons in their pleasant palaces: 
and her time is near to come, and her ome shall 
not be prolonged.” 

This was literally fulfilled in the earthy 
kingdom, Babylon ; and it is placed on record in 
the inspired Word, that men may there read the 
result of such principles as were brought into 
practice in Babylon the Great. 

Moreover, to Jere- 
miah was given a mes- 
sage from God for Baby- 
lon, which he wrote out, 
and sent by the hand of 
the chief chamberlain of 
the captive king of Jeru- 
salem as he went into 
Babylon. This, the 
chamberlain was bidden 
to read in a public place; 
and having read it, he 
was to tie a stone about 
the book, and cast it into 
the river Euphrates, 
saying, “Thus shall 
Babylon sink, and shall 
not rise from the evil 
that I will bring upon her.”’ Since these things 
are repeated in the divine description of the 
woman on the scarlet colored beast, it is evident 
that every detail preserved in the record of 
ancient Babylon and its destruction, is to be 
fulfilled a second time in, and for, modern 
Babylon, the church that became a whore. So 
much for the city whose history is so vividly 
portrayed in the Word. 

There is another source of information which 


, | bly YE SEPARATE. 


shows the repetition of the sins of the city 
Babylon, as the church entered the Middle 
Ages. The Roman See gained power gradually, 
It was at first a simple church the same as 
all others, which arose as the result of the 
preaching of the early apostles. Constantino- 
ple was for some time arival of the rising 
queen; she, too, was seated upon seven hills; 
but finally, the rise of Mohammedanism in 
the East so occupied the eastern division of the 
empire that Rome was quite unmolested in her 
ambitious designs. The invasion of the West 
by the barbarians of. the North, extended the 
power, and increased the wealth and influence 
of Rome. 

There, barbarians, ‘“‘after bemg satiated with 
blood and plunder, lowered their reeking swords 
before the intellectual power that met them face 
to face; recently converted to Christianity, 
ignorant of the spiritual character of the church, 
and feeling the want of a certain external pomp 
in religion, they prostrated themselves, half 
savage and half heathen as they were, at the 
feet of the high priest of Rome.’ One by one, 
the barbarians, ancestors of all the nations of 
modern Europe, bowed the knee to Rome, and 
crowned her queen of the earth. From each 
nation, throughout the period of her supreme 
rule, she gathered her stores of wealth. 

For years England, as a government, paid to 
Rome a tribute of a thousand marks. Likewise 
from each country, Rome drew the money which 
was needed for national defense. The poor 
were robbed by. the payment of penance and the 
buying of indulgences. During the time of the 
Crusades, nations arose as a whole people, at 

20 


305 


To all that be in Rome, beloved 
of God, called to be saints ; Grace 
to you and peace from God our Fa- 
ther, and the Lord Jesus Christ. 

First, I thank my God through 
Jesus Christ for you all, that your 
faith is spoken of throughout the 
whole world. Rom. 1:7, 8 


Thus saith the Lord; For three 
transgressions of Judah, and for 
four, I will not turn away the pun- 
ishment thereof ; because they have 
despised the law of the Lord, and 
have not kept his commandments, 
and their lies caused them to err, 
after the which their fathers have 


walked. Amos 2:4. 


Their works are works of iniquity, 
and the act of violence is in their 
hands, 

Their feet run to evil, and they 
make haste to shed innocent blood : 
their thoughts are thoughts of in- 
iquity ; wasting and destruction are 
in their paths. Isa. 59.5, 7. 


Behold, it is written before me : 
I will not keep silence, but will 
recompense, even recompense into 
their bosom, 

Your iniquities, and the iniqui- 
ties of your fathers together. 

Isa. 65 36, 7. 


Yea, truth faileth; and he that 
departeth from evil maketh himself 
a prey : and the Lord saw it, and it 
displeased him that there was no 
judgment. Isa. 59:15. 


The woman which thou sawest is 
that great city, which reigneth over 
the kings of the earth. 

Rev. 17:18. 


As troops of robbers wait.for a 
man, so the company of priests 
murder in the way by consent: for 
they commit lewdness. 

Hos. 6:9. 


306 STORY 


Woe unto him that saith to the 
wood, Awake ; to the dumb stone, 
Arise, it shali teach! Behold, it is 
laid over with gold and silver, and 
there is vo breath at all in the midst 
of it. Hab. 2:19. 


How is the gold become dim! 
how is the most fine gold changed ! 
the stones of the sanctuary are 
poured outin the top of every street. 

The precious sons of Zion, com- 
parable to fine gold, how are they 
esteemed as earthen pitchers, the 
work of the hands of the potter ! 

Even the sea monsters draw out 
the breast, they give suck to their 
young ones: the daughter of my 
people is become cruel, like the 
ostriches in the wilderness. 

The tongue of the sucking child 
cleaveth to the roof of his mouth for 
thirst: the young children ask 
bread, and no man breaketh it unto 
them, 

They that did feed delicately are 
desolate in the streets: they that 
were brought up in scarlet embrace 
dunghills. 

For the punishment of the iniq- 
uity of the daughter of my people is 
greater than the punishment of the 
sin of Sodom, that was overthrown 
as in a moment, and no hands 
stayed on her. Lam, 4 :1-6. 


My father made your yoke heavy, 
and I will add to your yoke: my 
father aiso chastised you with whips, 
but I will chastise you with scor- 
pions. x Kings i2.14. 


PROPHECY OF HUSS. 

John Huss did more : prophetic 
words resounded from the depths of 
his dungeon. He foresaw that a 
reai reformation of the Church was 
at hand. When driven from 
Prague, and compelled to wander 
in the fields of Bohemia, where he 
was followed by an immense crowd 
eager to catch his words, he ex- 
claimed : ‘‘ The wicked have begun 
by laying treacherous snares for the 
goose. (The word Huss in Bohe- 
mian signifying goose.) But if 
even the goose, which is only a do- 
mestic fowl, a tame creature, and 
unable to rise high in the air, has 






“# 
~ 
t- 


‘ 


OF THE SEER OF PATMOS. 


% 
~~ 
wt 


the bidding of Rome. Relics, the bones of 
saints and martyrs, bits of the cross, the nails, 


—all such things were exchanged for gold. 


The treatment of Columbus by the Spanish 
government, one of the daughters of Rome, is 
an illustration of the tyranny exercised over body 
ard mind. Gallileo, who introduced the truth of 
astronomical discoveries into Italy, incurred the 
displeasure of Rome, and was pursued by the 
Inquisition. Later, after the supremacy of 
Rome was broken, and the queen sat a widow, 
her children carried out the same principles. 
England had not lost the spirit when she taxed 
her colonies, and impressed their seamen. 
France has never fully recovered; for she still 
bears arbitrary rule over her possessions. Italy, 
once a wealthy kingdom, was drained of its 
wealth by the papacy. Examples might be 
multiplied without number. It is enough to say 
that nations have been oppressed. The pagan 
Roman Empire was lordly and dictatorial; but 
oppression before the days of the papacy, sank 
into insignificance, when compared with the 
tyranny of the woman clad in purple and scarlet, 
seated upon the scarlet colored beast. Claiming 
to be the vicegerent of God on earth, Rome 
held souls in her grasp, and assigned them at 
will, to heaven or hell, or demanded the pay- 
ment of any price for their release from pur- 
gatory. 

The messages sent to Babylon, the city, con- 
cerning its overthrow, were repeated to Rome in 
the person of the martyrs. Wycliffe, Huss, 
Jerome, Luther, Melanchthon,—these, and hun 
dreds of others, God used as a mouthpiece to 
proclaim the impending fall of Rome. But so 


BE YE SEPARATE. 


self-confident was the queen that she said, “I 
sit a-queen, and am no widow, and shall see no 
‘sorrow. ‘Come down, and sit in the dust, O 
virgin daughter of Babylon, sit on the ground. 

. . . Thy nakedness shall be uncovered, 
yea, thy shame shall be seen: I will take ven- 
geance. . . . Thou shalt no more be called, 
The lady of kingdoms.” 

The wounding of the head of the beast in 
1798, the beginning of the time of the end, 
dethroned the woman for a time, but she was 
the mother of harlots, and the education, as well 
as the hereditary 
tendencies of her 
children, has en- 

















307 


yet broken their snares, other birds, 
whose flight carries them boldly 
toward heaven, will break them with 
much more power. Instead of a 
feeble goose, the truth will] send 
forth eagles and keen-eyed falcons.” 
The reformers fulfilled this pre- 
diction.—Daubigne’s History. 


He that leadeth into captivity 
shall go into captivity ; he that kill- 
eth with the sword must be killed 
with the sword. Rev. 13 : 10. 


We would have healed Babylon, 
but she is not healed: forsake her, 
and let us go-every one into his own 
country : for her judgment reacheth 
unto heaven, and is lifted up even 
to the skies. Jer. 51:0. 

















abled them, al- 
though in many 
ways restricted, 
to continue the 
practices of the 
mother. To each 
of the kingdoms 
of Europe, the 
Reformation 


















































came as a light 
and deliverance ; 
but to-day, without exception, those nations are 
returning their allegiance to the dethroned 
queen, who only waits the opportune moment to 
resume her seat and her crown. 

The hatred which Europe once manifested 
toward the central ecclesiastical power is fast 
disappearing ; and before the outpouring of the 
plagues, there will be general agreement to 
exalt Rome. Rome to-day stands as the arbiter 
of nations, She is regaining her crown by the 





Church of St. Peter, Rome. 


Because ye were glad, because ye 
rejoiced, O ye destroyers of mine 
heritage, because ye are grown fat 
as the heifer at grass, and bellow as 
bulls ; 

Your mother shall be sore con- 
founded ; she that bare you shall be 
ashamed: behold, the hindermost 
of the nations shall be a wilderness, 
a dry land, and a desert. 

Because of the wrath of the Lord 
it shall not be inhabited, but it 
shall be wholly desolate : every one 
that goeth by Babylon shall be as- 
tonished, and hiss at all her 
plagues. Jer. 50: 11-13, 


308 STORY 


They say unto him, Czsar’s. 
Then saith he unto them, Render 
therefore unto Czsar the things 
which are Czsar’s ; and unto God 
the things that are God’s. 

Matt. 22:21. 


Woe unto them that join house 
to house, that lay field to field, till 
there be no place, that they may be 
placed alone in the midst of the 
earth! Isa. 5 :8. 


They covet fields, and take them 
by violence ; and houses, and take 
them away : so they oppress a man 
and his house, even a man and his 
heritage. Micah 2:2. 


Woe unto them that call evil 
good, and good evil; that put dark- 
ness for light, and light for dark- 
ness ; that put bitter for sweet, and 
sweet for bitter ! Isa. 5:20. 


For the time will come when they 
will not endure sound doctrine ; but 
after their own lusts shall they heap 
to themselves teachers, having itch- 
ing ears ; 

And*they shall turn away their 
ears from the truth, and shall be 
turned unto fables. 

2 Tim. 4:3, 4. 


Which say to the seers, See not; 
and to the prophets, Prophesy not 
unto us right things, speak unto us 
smooth things, prophesy deceits : 

Get you out of the way, turn aside 
out of the path, cause the Holy One 
of Israel to cease from before us. 

Isa. 30: 10, 11. 


Since the day that your fathers 
came forth out of the land of Egypt 
unto this day I have even sent unto 
you all my servants the prophets, 
daily rising up early and sending 
them, Jer. 7 225. 


OF THE SEER OF PATMOS. 





same method by which she at first re 
One nation after another bows before her throne, i 
and recognizes the woman’s right to ride the — 
beast. The wealth of all nations is about to be 
given into her hands. 

In the United States, the formation of ins 
image to the beast, will place the unbounded — 
resources of this country in the hands of the 
same power. Protestantism repudiates its fun- 
damental principles, the complete separation of 
church and state, and performs the works of the 
beast. Society, once democratic throughout, is 
gradually revolutionized in the formation of the 
image; as it was done in the growth of the 
beast. The distinction between the rich and the 
poor, becomes more marked; the corporations 
and trusts control the money, the produce, and 
the laboring classes. Democracy gives way to 
a king,—the coal king, the oil king, or the 
money king. A few men dictate to the masses. 
The independence once gained by war, is lost in 
America, as in Europe, through false methods 
of education. 

The Protestant churches, once simple in 
habits and customs, now bid for the most pop- 
ular minister, pay high prices for pews, listen to 
paid singers, who know nothing of the power of 
soul music ; and the sermons to which the wealthy 
listen, are such as will please the ear, but do 
not convert the heart. 

God_ has sent message after message to save 
the world. Such are the messages of the three 
angels of Rev. 14:6-12. The first one was re- 
jected; and the second angel proclaimed the 
fall of Babylon. The spirit of discernment is 
lost, and that which came from God, is passed 


BE’ YVYE)SEPARATE. 


by unheeded. Babylon, devoid of the Spirit 
which controlled and kept vice in check, becomes 
as the house which was empty, swept, and 
garnished. It becomes “ the habitation of devils, 
the hold of every foul spirit, and a cage of every 
unclean and hateful bird,” and the condition of 
Babylon in the last days is worse than in former 
times. 

Saul, when he could receive no word from 
the Lord, because he had hitherto rejected 
divine counsel, sought out a witch, and consulted 
the spirit of devils. The end of Saul was death 
by suicide. The churches that reject the mes- 
sage of the judgment and the Saviour’s second 
coming, reject the Spirit of God, and are given 
over to the control of evil spirits, a miracle 
working power, which binds men by supernatural 
manifestations until they are prepared to receive 
Satan himself, who comes in the name of the 
Lord. 

As Babylon the city, became the home of the 
bittern and the owl, birds of prey, so Babylon 
the church, takes the spirit of the carrion birds, 
and watches to destroy souls. What Rome of 
the Middle Ages accomplished under the cover 
of darkness, modern Babylon will repeat in the 
full blaze of intellectual life. The third angel’s 
message offers life to those who are bound by 
the fetters of false doctrines, and warns them 
against the beast and his image. 

God’s judgment waits until the last end of 
time,—until there is no longer any who will 
repent. Before the close of probation, an angel 
is seen to come down from heaven, and join the 
third angel. Together, their glory enlightens the 
world. This is the loud cry, Men acknowledge 


309 


When the unclean spirit is gone 
out of a man, he walketh through 
dry places, seeking rest, and findeth 
none. < 
Then he saith, I will return into 
my house from whence I came out 3 
and when he is come, he findeth it 
empty, swept, and garnished. 

Then goeth he, and taketh with 
himself seven other spirits more 
wicked than himself, and they enter 
in and dwell there: and the last 
state of that man is worse than the 
first. Even so shall it be also unto 
this wicked generation. 

Matt. 12 : 43-45. 

Jer. 5 237. 

So Saul died for his transgression 
which he committed against the 
Lord, even against the word of the 
Lord, which he kept not, and also 
for asking counsel of one that had 
a familiar spirit, to inquire of it. 

1 Chron. 10:13. 

Now the Spirit speaketh ex- 
pressly, that in the latter times some 
shall depart from the faith, giving 
heed to seducing spirits, and doc- 
trines of devils. mpd ltingy hake 


Therefore the wild beasts of the 
desert with the wild beasts of the 
islands shall dwell there, and the 
owls shall dwell therein: and it 
shall be no more inhabited for 
ever ; neither shall it be dwelt in 
from generation to generation. 

Jer. 50:39. 

The thing that hath been, it is 
that which shall be ; and that which 
is done is that which shall be done: 
and there is no new thing under the 
sun, Eccl. 1:9. 


Flee out of the midst of Babylon, 
and deliver every man his soul: be 
not cut off in her iniquity ; for this 
is the time of the Lord’s vengeance ; 
he will render unto her a recom- 
pence. Jer. 51:6. 

Behold, I will send for many 
fishers, saith the Lord, and they 
shall fish them; and after will I 
send for many hunters, and they 
shall hunt them from every moun- 
tain, and from every hill, and out 
of the holes of the rocks. 

Jer. 16:16, 


310 


It shall come to pass in the last 
days, saith God, I will pour out of 
my Spirit upon all flesh: and your 
sons and your daughters shall 
prophesy, and your young men shall 
see visions, and your old men shall 
dream dreams, Acts 2:17. 


Isa, 24: 14-16, 


In the first year of his reign I 
Daniel understood by books the 
number of the years, whereof the 
word of the Lord came to Jeremiah 
-the prophet, that he would accom- 
plish seventy years in the desola- 
tions of Jerusalem. 

And I set my face unto the Lord 
God, to seek by prayer and suppli- 
cations, with fasting, and sackcloth, 
and ashes. Dan. 9:2, 3. 


Rev. 8:3, 4. 


Num, 14:20, 21. 


Then the priests the Levites arose 
and blessed the people: and their 
voice was heard, and their prayer 
came up to his holy dwelling place, 
even unto heaven. 

2 Chron. 30: 27. 


Jude 9. 
Rev.in4:9. 


Thou tellest my wanderings: put 
thou my tears into thy bottle: are 
they not in thy book? 

Psa. 56:8. 


Rev. 5:8. 


Not because I desire a gift: but 
I desire fruit that may abound to 
your account, 

But I have all, and abound: I 
am full, having received of Epaph- 
roditus the things which were sent 
from you, an odour of a sweet 
smell, a sacrifice acceptable, well- 
pleasing to God. Phil, 4:17, 18. 


Rev. 18 : 4. 





the sins of Babylon, and some even of the 
of the earth repent. The loud cry will reach 
the corners of the earth; thousands will be con- 

verted in a day, as they were in the days of 
Pentecost. As the oppressions of Babylon be- 
come more galling, most fervent prayers. will be 
offered for release. The Jews im ancient Baby- 
lon near the close of the seventy years’ captivity, 
symbolized the people of God in modern Babylon 
as the time of the plagues draws near. As 
Daniel prayed with fasting and heart searching, 
that he might know the time of deliverance, 
and that no sins might be left on the books 
against Israel, so the people of God will plead 
in these last days. The prayers that Daniel 
offered, will be answered more fully in the end 
of time than it was possible for them to be 
answered in the days of his natural life. The 
prayer which Moses offered when Israel sinned, 
and he, their leader, pleaded for their forgive- 
ness, was partially answered then. The Lord 
said, “I have pardoned according to thy word: 
but as truly as I live, all the earth shall be 
filled with the glory of the Lord.’’ Moses waits _ 
over three thousand years for the answer to that 
prayer. From his dwelling place in heaven, he 
will see the answer in the loud cry of the third 
angel’s message. Other prayers long delayed 
will then be answered. These requests have 
been bottled in heaven and when Satan mani- 
fests his greatest power, the Gospel of Jesus 
Christ is preached with a spirit which enlightens 
the world. Time is about to close, and the 
vials of sweet odors held by the four living 
creatures about the throne, will be emptied 
before the sanctuary work closes, 


BE YE SEPARATE. 3 311 


There will be a voice heard from heaven say- Depart ye, depart ye, go ye out 

: from thence, touch no unclean 
iT? ? 

ing, “Come out of her, My people, that ye be yin. oo ye out of the midst of 

not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive her; be ye clean, that bear the ves- 


. sels of the Lord. Isa. 52:11, 
not of her plagues. For her sins have reached Sat 
unto heaven, and God hath remembered her 
le nee 
iniquities. As the angels took Lot by the Tk coe ee eran 
hands, and hurried him out of Sodom, bidding of Sodom it rained fire and brim- 


stone from heaven, and destroyed 


him not to look back, so angels will hurry the them au, 
sincere and true-hearted out of Babylon, for her _ Fven thus shall it be in the day 


when the Son of man is revealed. 


destruction cometh like the burning of Sodom. Luke 17 :29, 30. 
This message from God, the Great Shepherd, ; 
comes from heaven, and souls respond. Tothe |The men said unto Lot, Hast 


thou here any besides? son in law, 


Jews in Babylon, the same call was given and and thy sons, and thy daughters, 


: and whatsoever thou hast in the 
those who were true to Jehovah, ficd to the Gt) pring them out of this place: 


mountains, that they might not be partakcrs cf | For we will destroy this place, 
a 5 : : because the cry of them is waxen 
her impending destruction. Some had lived so grect before the face of the Lord; 


long in the city, that they hesitated about 24 tie Tord hath sent us to de 
leaving. Lot had sons and daughters who Aad Lot went out, and spake 


‘ . 4 unto his sons in law, which married 
would not leave Sodom; and the family ties 4;, aiuchters, and said, Up, got 


Wererso strons that Lot's wife, the mother, yououtet this place; forthe Lord 
a will destroy this city. But he 
turned to look back, and destruction overtook seemed as one that mocked unto his, 


: in law. + 193 12-14. 
her. The loud cry will cause many a heart- **"™™ ConEg aA 
ache; will lead to the severance of many a fond cn lage 
5 6 : Then shall two be in the field; 
tic), Ttusbands will have to decide whether tie one shall be taken, and the 
they will cling to their families, and remain in er et 


nies 5 Two women shall be grinding at 
spiritual Sodom, or whether they will heed the the mit; the one shall be taken, 


© . d the other left. 
voice from heaven. Mothers will have the same ™ ee ey SUS 


decision to make. Thisisthe time when Christ pute 17:34-36. 


says, “He that loveth father or mother more ™#t- a *37- 
A He shall dwell on high : his place 
than Me is not worthy of Me: and he that loveth Ghdetencarstillibeathetmurctione os 


son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of ocks: bread shall be given him; 
his waters shall be sure. 


Me.” Isa. 33 : 16. 
While the work of separation is going on, the —The sword is without, and the 


pestilence and the famine within: 


power of the beast and his image, grows more je thatis in the field shall die with 


intolerable. The believers are obliged to seek the sword; and he that is in the 
city, famine and pestilence shall de- 


shelter in rocks and caves of the mountains.  yourhim. Eze. 7:15. 


Jer. 51:6. 
Gen. 19:16, 17. 


312 STORY 


But they that escape of them 
shall escape, and shall be on the 
mountains like doves of the valleys, 
all of them mourning, every one for 
his iniquity. Eze. 7: 16. 


Luke 21: 12, 16-18, 
Rev. 18:7, 8. 


And they cast dust on their 
heads, and cried, weeping and 
wailing, saying, Alas, alas that 
great city, wherein were made 
rich all that had ships in the sea 
by reason of her costliness! for in 
one hour is she made desolate. 

Rejoice over her, thou heaven, 
and ye holy apostles and prophets ; 
for Cod hath avenged you on her. 

And a mighty angel took up a 
stone like a great millstone, and: 
cast it into the sea, saying, Thus 
with violence shall that great city 
Babylon be thrown down, and shall 
be found no more at all. 

And the voice of harpers, and 
musicians, and of pipers, and 
trumpeters, shall be heard no 
more at all in thee ; and no crafts- 
man, of whatsoever craft he be, 
shall be found any more in thee; 
and the sound of a millstone shall 
be heard no more at all in thee; 

And the light of a candle shall 
shine no more at all in thee; and 
the voice of the bridegroom and of 
the bride shall be heard no more 
at allin thee: for thy merchants 
were the great men of the earth; 
for by the surceries were all na- 
tions deceived. 

And in her was found the blood 
of prophets, and of saints, and of 
all that were slain upon the earth. 

: Rev, 18: 19-24, 


Rev. 18 324. 
Matt. 23 :34, 35. 


For, lo, thine enemies make a 
tumult: and they that hate thee 
have lifted up the head. 

They have taken crafty counsel 
against thy people, and consulted 
against thy hidden ones. 







OF THE SEER OF PATMOS. 


Some will be thrown into prison. 
plagues begin to fall. «How much she | ks 
glorified herself, and lived deliciously, so much 
torment and sorrow give her. . . . There- 
fore shall her plagues come in one day (or one 
year), death, and mourning, and famine; and 
she shall be utterly burned with fire.” 

During this time of trouble, many who re- 
jected the messages when they were given 
remember the call of God, and when it is too 
late, seek to recall His messengers. ‘ Behold, 
the days come, saith the Lord God, that I will 
send a famine in the land, not a famine of bread, 
nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the words 
of the Lord: and they shall wander from sea to 
sea, and from the north even to the east, they 
shall run to and fro to seek the word of the 
Lord, and shall not find it.” 

There is no word of God in Babylon; for she 
is the one who exalted self above Jehovah, who 
caused the two witnesses to prophesy in sack- 
cloth for forty and two months, and who 
thought to change the eternal times and laws of 
the universe. “And in her was found the blood 
of prophets, and of saints, and of all that were 
slain upon the earth.’ Those who love the 
Word of God have withdrawn from her midst, 
and during the time of trouble, are hidden from 
the wrath of man and the fury of the plagues. 
As probation has closed, “the light of a candle 
shall shine no more at all” in Babylon. The 
voice of joy is turned to mourning; the social 
gatherings and the marriage feasts no longer 
offer any attraction; merchants and the great 
men of earth fail because of the destruction of 
great Babylon. The earth is literally turned 


——-—+--- BE VE-SEPARATE. 


upside down, and it reels to and fro like a 
drunken man; for great Babylon has come in 
remembrance before God. Her iniquities have 
reached unto heaven, and God comes down to 
reward her double according to her works. 

As the ancient city of Babylon was over- 
thrown because she forsook the way of life, so 
modern Babylon dies. None need partake of 
her plagues; for all had an opportunity to 
separate from her midst. God is to-day making 
up His spiritual kingdom. His subjects are on 
the earth, and by the strong magnet of His love 
He is drawing to Himself all who prefer a 
spiritual life to one of earth. 

The story of Babylon the city, and again of 
Babylon the church, is the picture divinely given 
of a worldly life under the dominion of the 
power of the prince of this world. The little 
church, hidden from trouble during these 
last days, may seem to have lost much by 


. following the Man of Nazareth; but their love 


of truth links their hearts with God, and they 
taste the joys of an endless life. The great 
controversy still continues ; it ends in the over- 
throw of Babylon, the mother of harlots, and 
the confusion of Babel is replaced by the divine 
harmony, which, for six thousand years, has 
been marred by sin. 


313 


They have said, Come, and let us 
cut them off from being a nation; 
that the name of Israel may be no 
more in remembrance. 

For they have consulted together 
with one consent: they are confed- 
erate against thee. Psa. 83 :2-5. 


Behold, the Lord maketh the earth 
empty, and maketh it waste, and 
turneth it upside down, and scatter- 
eth abroad the inhabitants thereof. 

Isa. 2431. 


Isa. 24 217-21. 


Wherefore come out from among 
them, and be ye separate, saith the 
Lord, and touch not the unclean 
thing ; and I will receive you, 

And will be a Father unto you, 
and ye shall be my sons and daugh- 
ters, saith the Lord Almighty. 

2 Cor. 6:17, 18. 


Yea doubtless, and I count all 
things but loss for the excellency of 
the knowledge of Christ Jesus my 
Lord: for whom I have suffered 
the loss of all things, and do count 
them but dung, that I may win 
Christ. Phil. 3:8. 





Isa. 55:1. 


Jesus answered and said unto her, 
If thou knewest the gift of God, and 
-who it is that saith to thee, Give 
me to dripk; thou wouldcst have 
asked of him, and he would have 
given thee living water. 

But whosoever drinketh of the 
water that I shall give him shall 
never thirst; but the water that I 
shall give him shall be in him a 
well of water springing up into 
everlasting life. John 4:10, 14. 


Isa. 55: 
Isa. 55: 
Isa. 55: 
Isaassi 
Isa. 55: 
Rey. 3:18. 
Rev. 3 #20. 


On - WW 
ee eh ease ae 


For I am not ashamed of the 
gospel of Christ : for it is the power 
of God unto salvation to every one 
that believeth ; to the Jew first, and 
also to the Greek. Rom. 1:16, 


Gen, 3:1-6. 
314 


CHAPTER 20x, 


THE TWO SUPPERS. - 


“Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to 
the waters, and he that hath no money; come 
ye, buy, and eat; yea, come, buy wine and milk 
without money and without price.” 

“Wherefore do ye spend money for that 
which is not bread? and your labor for that 
which satisfieth not? Hearken diligently unto 
Me, and eat ye that which is good, and let your 
soul delight itself in fatness.” 

“Incline your ear, and come unto Me: hear, 
and your soul shall live; and I will make an 
everlasting covenant with you, even the sure 
mercies of David.” 

The everlasting Gospel, the power of God 
unto salvation, has, throughout all generations, 
held out this invitation to the people of the 
earth. From the fall in Eden to the last gener- 
ation on earth, guests “are chosen for the 
marriage supper of the Lamb. This will be the 


THE TWO SUPPERS. 


great gathering time for the heavenly family,— 
the first reunion of all the creatures of God’s 
hand. God the Father will gather His children 
in the-New Jerusalem, the mother of us all; and 
Christ the eldest Son and Brother, the Bride- 
groom, will come forth, and serve the guests. 
Christ at the marriage feast in Cana looked for- 
ward to the time of His own marriage supper, 
when sin would be forever blotted out; when 
His bride, adorned in the righteousness of God, 
and the guests, arrayed in the wedding gar- 
ments, would await the coming of the Bride- 
groom. The changing of the water to wine was 
typical of the transformation wrought in the 
character of those who would become guests, 
when at His word mortality was changed to 
immortality. 

In His talk with Zacchzeus, the Publican, the 
Saviour explained His marriage and the supper. 
“Because they thought that the kingdom of 
God should immediately appear. He said 
therefore, A certain nobleman went into a far 
country to receive for himself a kingdom, and to 
return.” ‘And ye yourselves [are] like unto 
men that wait for their Lord, when He will 
return from the wedding ; that when He cometh 
and knocketh, they may open unto Him immedi- 
ately. Blessed are those servants, whom the 
Lord when He cometh shall find watching: 
verily I say unto you, that He shall gird Him- 
self, and make them to sit down to meat, and 
will come forth and serve them.” 

When the Saviour entered the inner apart- 
ment of the heavenly temple, He went to make 
up the subjects of His kingdom. He “came to 
the Ancient of Days,” the Father, “and there 
© 


315 


For this cause I bow my knees 
unto the Father of our Lord Jesus 
Christ, 

Of whom the whole family in 
heaven and earth is named. 

Eph. 3 :14, 15. 

Jerusalem which is above is free, 
which is the mother of us all. 

Gal. 4:26. 


For whom he did foreknow, he 
also did predestinate to be con- 
formed to the image of his Son, 
that he might be the firstborn among 
many brethren. Rom. 8:29. 


Rejoice ye with Jerusalem, and 
be glad with her, all ye that love 
her : rejoice for joy with her, all ye 
that mourn for her ; 

That ye may suck, and be satis- 
fied with the breasts of her conso- 
lations ; that ye may milk out, and 
be delighted with the abundance of 
her glory. 

For thus saith the Lord, Behold, 
I will extend peace to her like a 
river, and the glory of the Gentiles 
like a flowing stream: then shall 
ye suck. ye shall be borne upon her 
sides, and be dandled upon her 
knees, Isa, 66 3 10-12. 


1 Cor. 15 51-54. 
Luke 19:11, 12. 
Luke 12 :36, 37. 


When the king came in to see the 
guests, he saw there a man which 
had not on a wedding garment : 

And he saith unto him, Friend, 
how camest thou in hither not hav- 
ing a wedding garment? And he 
was speechless. 

Then said the king to the serv- 
ants, Bind him hand and foot, and 
take him away, and cast him into 
outer darkness ; there shall be weep- 
ing and gnashing of teeth. 

For many are called, but few are 
chosen. Matt. 22 11-14. 


Dan. 7:14, 27. 


316 STORY 


And sent his servant at supper 
time to say to them that were bid- 
den, Come ; for all things are now 
ready. Luke 14:17. 


The lord said unto the servant, 
Go out into the highways and 
hedges, and compel them to come 
in, that my house may be filled. 

Luke 14 : 23. 


He saith unto me, Write, Blessed 
are they which are called unto the 
marriage supper of the Lamb. And 
he saith unto me, These are the true 
sayings of God. Rey. 19:9. 


They refused to hearken, and 
pulled away the shoulder, and 
stopped their ecrs, that they should 
not hear. 

Yea, they made their hearts as an 
adamant stone, lest they should hear 
the law, and the words which the 
Lord of hosts hath sent in his Spirit 
by thejformer prophets: therefore 
came a great wrath from the Lord 
of hosts. Zech. 7 211, 126 


Jer. 721g, 14. 


I also will choose their delusions, 
and will bring their fears upon 
them ; because when I called, none 
did answer; when I spake, they 
did not hear: but they did evil be- 
fore mine eyes, and chose that in 
which I delighted not. 

Isa. 663 4. 


Blessed are those servants, whom 
the lord when he cometh shall find 
watching: verily I say unto you, 
that he shall gird himself, and make 
them to sit down to meat, and will 
come forth and serve them. 

Luke 12:37. 


Rejoicing in the habitable part of 
his earth; and my delights were 
with the sons of men, 

Proy, 8:31. 







OF THE SEER OF PATMOS, — 


was given Him dominion, and glory, and 
kingdom.” “And the kingdom and dominion, 
and the greatness of the kingdom under the 
whole heaven, shall be given to the people. ofthe _ 
saints of the most High, whose kingdom is an 
everlasting kingdom.” This is the marriage of 
Christ, and the work of the sealing angel is 

to put a sign upon those of the last generation 

who are prepared for the wedding supper. The 
voice from heaven, which, during the loud cry, 

says, “Come out of her My people,” gathers 
guests for this supper from the very last people 

of earth. Probation closes when the last guest 

has accepted the invitation. 

John, in the Revelation of Jesus Christ, had 
been brought a number of times to this great 
gathering. In the sixteenth chapter are re- 
corded the plagues which fall upon those who 
turn from the invitation; the eighteenth chapter 
describes the character of the church and the 
governments which attract the minds of men 
from the call of God, and so infatuate them with 
the feasts of the whore that they lose the priv- 
ilege of eating at the table of the Lamb. John 
saw these things, and understood why the time 
of trouble came; and then the curtain was 
drawn aside, and from the scenes of debauchery 
and destruction, which earth presents, his eye 
rested upon the heavenly gathering at the great 
supper of the Son of God. 

He saw the hosts of the redeemed from earth 
mingling with angels and the inhabitants of 
other worlds. And he “heard a great voice of 
much people in heaven,” the greatest chorus the 
universe ever heard; that in which all voices 


unite in singing, “Alleluia; salvation, and glory, 
° 


THE TWO SUPPERS. 


and honor, and power, unto the Lord our God.” 
Salvation is the one theme throughout creation. 
Worlds, long held in suspense because of sin on 
earth, raised their voices in the universal an- 
them. They had witnessed the judgment of 
God; and they who had followed the dealings 
of Satan on earth, and who knew of his repeated 
attempts to overthrow the throne of God, saw 
the final destruction of the whore, that master- 
piece of iniquity. When the last trace of sin 
was gone, and the smoke of the final burning 
had ascended up forever and ever, they burst 
forth in unrestrained accents, saying, “True and 
righteous are His judgments.” And the four 
beasts and the four and twenty elders bowed 
before the throne crying, “Amen; Alleluia.” 
These were close beside the throne; and as the 
command came to praise God, off to the limits 
of space, rolling on and on like the voice of 
many waters, sounded the words, “Alleluia: for 
the Lord God omnipotent reigneth. Let us be 
glad and rejoice, and give honor to Him: for 
the marriage of the Lamb is come, and His wife 
hath made herself ready.” 

Sometimes it may seem that man is alone; 
but one glimpse of heaven shows that the whole 
universe is watching, intently watching, and 
salvation is the thought of every heart. As 
their lives are more sensitive than ours because 
sin has not dulled their sensibilities, so their 
suffering in sympathy with man, is intense 
beyond description. Love, eternal love rules 
the universe, and when the conflict is over, a 
shout resounds through creation, “The Lord God 
omnipotent reigneth.” Then from boundless 
space the creatures of His love come to witness 


317 


And after these things | heard 


a great voice of much people in 
haven, saying, Alleluia; Salva- 
tion, and glory, and honour, and 
power, unto the Lord our God: 

For true and righteous are his 
judgments : for he hath judged the 
great whore, which did corrupt 
the earth with her fornication, and 
hath avenged the blood of his 
servants at her hand. 

Rev. 19:1, 2. 


Then shall he say also unto them 
on the left hand, Depart from me, 
ye cursed, into everlasting fire, pre 
pared for the devil and his angels. 

Matt. 25 :41. 


Psa. 1x27, 8. 

Rev. 16:7. 

Rev. 19: 4. 

Is there any number of his ar- 
mies? and upon whom doth not his 
light arise ? Job 25 :3. 

Rev. 19:7. 

Elisha prayed, and said, Lord, I 
pray thee, open his eyes, that he 
may see. And the Lord opencd 
the eyes of the young man; and he 
saw: and, behold, the mountain 
was full of horses and chariots of 
fire round about Elisha. 

2 Kings 6:17. 


And again they said, Alleluia. 
And her smoke rose up for ever 
and ever. 

And the four and twenty elders 
and the four beasts fell down and 
worshipped God that sat on the 
throne, saying, Amen; Alleluia. 

And a voice came out of the 
throne, saying, Praise our God, all 
ye his servants, and ye that fear 
him, both small and great. 

And | heard as it were the voice 
of a great multitude, and as the 
voice of many waters, and as the 
voice of mighty thunderings, say- 
ing, Alleluia: for the Lord God 
omnipotent reigneth. 

Let us be glad and rejoice, and 
give honour to him: for the mar- 
riage of the Lamb is come, and his 
wife hath made herself ready. 

Rev. 19: 3-7, 


318 


Mark 14:25. 
Matt. 26:29. 


When one of them that sat at 
meat with him heard these things, 
he said unto him, Blessed is he that 
shall eat bread in the kingdom of 
God, Luke 14:15. 


Zech, 1424. 


They shall not hunger nor thirst ; 
neither shail the heat nor sun smite 
them: for he that hath mercy on 
them shall lead them, even by the 
springs of water shall he guide 
them, 

And I will make all my moun- 
tains a way, and my highways shall 
be exalted. 

Behold, these shall come from 
far: and, lo, these from the north 
and from the west ; and these from 
the land of Sinim. 

Sing, O heavens; and be joyful, 
O earth; and break forth into sing- 
ing, O mountains: for the Lord 
hath comforted his people, and will 
have mercy upon his afcicted. 

Isa. 49 : 10-13. 


Isa. 62:4, 5. 


I will rejoice in Jerusalem, and 
joy in my people: and the voice of 
weeping shall be no more heard in 
her, nor the voice of crying. 

Isa. 65319. 


Zech. 324. 
Isa. 61 2 10, 


And to her was granted that she 
Should be arrayed in fine I.ncn, 
elecn and white: for the fine linen 
is the righteousness of saints. 

And he saith unto me, Write, 
Blessed are they which are called 
unto the marriage supper of the 
Lamb. And he saith unto me, 
These are the true sayings of God. 

Rev. 198, 9. 


Luke 15 : 22-24. 






the gathering at the marriage supper 
Lamb. In the city of God, the silver 


many miles in length, is spread with the fruits — 
of the new earth. The city which Christ has 
prepared for the redeemed, rests on the site of — 
ancient Jerusalem which has been purified by 
fire. It is Eden restored. “His feet shall 
stand in that day upon the Mount of Olives 
. . . and the Mount of Olives shall cleave 
in the midst thereof toward the east and toward 
the west, and there shall be a very great valley; 
. . andthe Lord my God shall come, and 
all the saints with Thee.” ‘Thou shalt no more 
be termed Forsaken; neither shall thy land any 
more be termed Desolate: but thou shalt be 
called Hephzi-bah (that is, my delight is in her), 
and thy land Beulah (married): for the Lord 
dclighteth in thee, and thy land shall be married. 
. . . As the bridegroom rejoiceth over 
the bride, so shall thy God rejoice over thee.” 
Everywhere will be seen the character of 
Christ. The city reflects it, the land speaks of 
purity, and the redeemed are clothed in the 
wedding garments, linen clean and white, which 
is the righteousness of Christ worn by the 
saints. And as the prophet marveled over the 
grandeur of the scene, and the glory of redemp- 
tion completed, Gabriel, thinking still of those 
on earth who should make up that company 
seated about the table, said, “ Write, Blessed 
are they which are called unto the marriage 
supper of the Lamb”; for the things which 
thou hast seen are true. Though still future, 
John had seen things as they will be when sin 
is a thing of the past. 
John, overcome with inexpressible joy and 


THE TWO SUPPERS. 


eratitude, fell at the feet of Gabriel, to worship 
him ; but he who stands in the presence of God, 
a channel of communication between God and 
‘man, raised the prophet, and pointing toward the 
throne, said “Worship God!” I, though Gabriel, 
am but one of His creatures, drawing life from 
Him and am thy fellow servant and the fellow ser- 
vant of all who have the Spirit of Prophecy.” 
Gabriel, as the angel of prophecy, feels a tender 
regard for those with whom he has had open 
communion; and as he sees the redeemed at 
the marriage supper, he is able to trace their 
history and salvation, through their adherence to 
the Spirit of Prophecy. And he, the servant of 
God, in bearing light, is a fellow worshiper with 
all who have received the light; for it is the 
Spirit of Prophecy which brings all to the unity 
of the faith. 

Beginning with the eleventh verse, the closing 

scenes of earth’s history are again opened before 
John. This time he sees heaven’s hosts mar- 
‘shaled—ten thousand times ten thousands of 
angels, arrayed as warriors under their Com- 
mander. ‘The Lord hath opened His armory, 
and hath brought forth the weapons of His in- 
dignation: for this is the work of the Lord God 
of Hosts.” 

At the head of the forces, rode the Com- 
mander in chief of all the hosts of heaven. He 
was clothed in a vesture dipped in blood. Satan 
the opposing general, had bruised and wounded 
Him; but His sacrifice only endeared Him to 
His own troops, and they became His loyal sub- 
jects for eternity. He was seated on a pure 
white horse, a sign of royalty. On His head 
He wore many crowns in token of the victories 


319 


Dan. 10:21, 
Luke 17: tg, 20. 


And | fell at his feet to worship 
him. And he said unto me, See 
thou do it not: / am thy fellow- 
servant, and of thy brethren that 
have the testimony of Jesus : wor= 
ship God: for the testimony of 
Jesus is the spirit of prophecy. 

Rev. 19:10. 


If ye will not believe, surely ye 
shall not be established. 
Isa. 7:9. 


Hear me, O Judah, and ye inhab- 
itants of Jerusalem ; Believe in the 
Lord your God, so shall ye be es- 
tablished ; believe his prophets, so 
shall ye prosper. 

2 Chron, 20 : 20, 


He gave some, apostles; and 
some, prophets ; and some, evangel- 
ists ;and some, pastors and teachers; 

For the perfecting of the saints, 
for the work of the ministry, for the 
edifying of the body of Christ : 

Till we all come in the unity of 


the faith. Eph. 4 :311-13. 


And | saw heaven opened, and 
behold a white horse; and he that 
sat upon him was called Faithful 
and True, and in righteousness he 
doth judge and make war. 

Rev. 19:11. 


Jer. 50:25. 


Who is this that cometh from 
Edom, with dyed garments from 
Bozrah? this that is glorious in his 
apparel, travelling in the greatness 
of his strength? I that speak in 
righteousness, mighty to save. 

Isa. 63:1. 


One shall say unto him, What are 
these wounds in thine hands? Then 
he shall answer, Those with which 
I was wounded in the house of my 
friends. Zech. 13:6. 


Judges 5:10, 


320 STORY 


THE BIBLE DESCRIPTION OF SOME 
OF THE MANY CROWNS. 


Rev. 2:10. Crown of life. 

Rev. 14:14. Crown of gold. 

x Pet. 5:4. Crown of glory. 

2 Tim. 4:8. Crown of righteous- 
ness. 

x Thess. 2:19. Crown of rejoic- 
ing. 

Psa. 103 24. 
kindness. 

Heb. 2:7, 9. 
and honour. 

Prov. 14:18. 
edge. 

1Cor.g:25. Incorruptible crown, 


Crown of loving- 
Crown of glory 


Crown of knowl- 


His eyes were as a flame of fire; 
and on his head were many crowns, 
and he had a name written, that 
no man knew, but he himself. 

And he was clothed with a ves- 
ture dipped In blood : and his narie 
is called The Word of God. 

And the armies which were in 
heaven followed him upon white 
horses, clothed in fine linen, white 
and clean. 

And out of his mouth goetha 
sharp sword, that with it he 
slculd smite the nations: and he 
shall rule them with a rod of iron: 
and he treadeth the winepress of 
the fierceness and wrath of Al- 
mighty God. 

And he hath on his vesture and 
on his thigh a name written, KING 
OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS. 

Rev. 19: 12-16. 


Heb. 13:20. 


Even he shall build the temple of 
the Lord; and he shall bear the 
glory, and shall sit and rule upon 
his throne ; and he shall be a priest 
upon his throne: and the counsel 
of peace shall be between them 
both. Zech. 6: 13. 


Whosoever shall fall on this 
stone shall be brokcn: but on 
whomsocver it shall fall, it will 
grind him to powder, 

Matt. 21: 44. 


I will declare the decree: the 
Lord hath said unto me, Thou art 
my Son ; this day have I begotten 


thee, 


OF THE SEER OF PATMOS. 


Y 
S 


vesture and on His thigh, was written, “Kingof 
Kings, and Lord of Lords”; but aside from these 
letters He had a name known only to Himself — 
and the Father,—a name expressing the depths 
of divine character which even eternity cannot 
interpret. Since each redeemed one has an 
inner experience with Christ, which is a secret 
between two, so the Father and His eldest Son 
know each other as none others can know them. 
To His Father, Christ is the Word of God. The 
completest union is here signified. God has 
spoken through Christ in all His creation, and 
the name Word of God is an eternal reminder of 
the everlasting covenant into which the Two en- 
tered when Christ received that name. It was 
the Word of God which was made flesh, and 
dwelt among us. It is the Word that saves, 
and it is this same Word that destroys. To the 
one who obeys the Word ,it is a healing balm of 
all the ills to which human flesh is heir. When 
disregarded, it becomes the stone of stumbling, 
and rock of offense over which men fall and die. 
For the first time in all ages, Christ goes from 
heaven as a warrior, clad with helmet and 
sword; for the first time, He comes to rule 
with a rod of iron. For six thousand years He 
has been the gentlest of the gentle. He is the 
shepherd that carrics the lambs in his bosom; 
the father who pitics his child. “Can a woman 
forget her sucking child? . . . yea, they may 
forget, yet will I not forget thee.” But when 
He comes at the end of the time, to meet the 
armies of earth that are in battle array on the 
plains of Armageddon, His eyes flash flames 







THE TWO .SUPPERS., - 


of fire, which burn through the souls of men; 
and out of His mouth goeth a sharp sword, and 
with it He smites the nations. 

He whose Word has been the saving grace 
through time, now holds aloft the Word of God, 
and men are condemned by their own hearts. 
To the righteous, waiting ones, He comes on a 
white cloud, and they are caught up to meet 
Him in the air; but, while to one company, His 
coming brings immortal life, to the other, who 
have scorned the Word when it was spoken in 
human language, that Word, as it comes from 
Jehovah Himself, becomes a consuming fire. 

There is a great earthquake, the earth opens 
and reveals a lake of fire. This is the first reve- 
lation of the lake of fire, which the centcr of the 
earth now holds in keeping unt] the day when 
Christ treads “the wine press of the fierceness 
and wrath of Almighty God.” The fire from 
the mouth of Christ slays the remnant of the 
wicked. They who were prepared to slay the 
people of God, fall, as did the Roman guard 
when the angel of the resurrection drew near to 
the earth. The beast in Europe and the false 
prophet in the United States, having blended 
their forces for the accomplishment of their one 
desire,—the destruction of the remnant of God’s 
people,—fall before Him who sits on the white 
horse. His name is. the Word of God, and He 
is followed by the armies of heaven, clothed in 
robes of dazzling purity, each riding a pure 
white horse. The world is marshaled under 
the beast and the false prophet and these both 
are cast alive into the lake of fire. “A sound 
of battle-is in the land, and of great destruction. 


How is the hammer of the whole earth cut 
21 ; 


321 


Ask of me, and I shall give thee 
the heathen for thine inheritance, 
and the uttermost parts of the earth 
for thy possession, Psa. 2:7, 8. 


He shall feed his flock like a shep- 
herd: he shall gather the lambs 
with his arm, and carry them in his 
bosom, and shall gently lead those 
that are with young, Isa. 40:11. 


For the word of God is quick, 
and powerful, and sharper than any 
twoedged sword. Heb, 4:12. 


Psa. 103 : 13. 
Isa. 49 213-17. 


With righteousness shall he judge 
the poor, and reprove with equity 
for the meek of the earth: and he 
shall smite the earth with the rod 
of his mouth, and with the breath 
of his lips shall he slay the wicked. 

Isa. 11:4. 


For a fire is kindled in mine 
anger, and shall burn unto the low- 
est hell, and shall consume the earth 
with her increase, and set on fire 
the foundations of the mountains. 

Deut. 32:22. 


A fire goeth before him, and burn- 
eth up his enemies round about. 

His lightnings enlightened the 
world : the earth saw, and trembled. 

The hills melted like wax at the 
presence of the Lord, at the pres- 
ence of the Lord of the whole earth, 

Psa. 97 : 3-5. 

Isa. 63 : 31-6. 

Isa. 6421-3. 

Matt. 28 33, 4. 

Jeri2s37. 

2 Thess. 2:8, 


I beheld then because of the voice 
of the great words which the horn 
spake: I beheld even till the beast 
was slain, and his body destroycd, 
and given to the burning flame 

Dan. 7.11. 


He was clothed with a vesture 
dipped in blood: and his name is 
called The Word of God. 

And the armies which were in 
heaven followed him upon white 
horses, clothed in fine linen, white 
and clean, Rey, 19:13, 14. 


322 


Jer. 50: 22-24. 

For, behold, the Lord will come 
with fire, and with his chariots like 
a whirlwind, to render his anger 
- with fury, and his rebuke with 
flames of fire. 

For by fire and by his sword will 
the Lord plead with all flesh: and 
the slain of the Lord shall be many. 

Isa. 66:15, 16. 

Psa. 50 :3-6. 

The anger of the Lord was kin- 
dled against this land, to bring 
upon it all the curses that are writ- 
ten in this book. = Deut. 29:27. 


And | saw an angel standing in 
the sun; and he cried with a Joud 
voice, saying to all the fowls that 


fly inthe midst of heaven, Come” 


and gather yourselues together 
unto the supper of the great God ; 

That ye may eat the flesh of 
kings, and the flesh of captains, 
and the flesh of mighty men, and 
the fiesh of horses, and of them 
that sit on them, and the fiesh of 
all men, both free and bond, both 
small and great. 

And | saw the beast, and the 
kings of the earth, and their ar- 
mies, gathered together to make 
war against him that sat on the 
horse, and against his army. 

And the beast was taken, and 
with him the false prophet that 
wrought miracles before him, with 
which he deceived them that had 
received the mark of the beast, 
and them that worshipped his 
image. These both were castalive 
into a lake of fire burning with 
brimstone. 

And the remnant were slain with 
the sword of him that sat upon 
the horse, which sword proceeded 
out of his mouth: and all the 
fowls were filled with their flesh. 

Rev, 19: 17-21. 


- Jer. 25 : 30-33. 


Then shall that Wicked be re- 
vealed, whom the Lord shall con- 
sume with the spirit of his mouth, 
and shall destroy with the bright- 
ness of his coming. 

2 Thess. 2:8. 





a desolation among the nations! I have laid a 
snare for thee, and thou art also taken, O 
Babylon, and thou wast not aware: thou art 
found, and also caught, because thou hast 
striven against the Lord.” These all are slain, — 
and at the end of the thousand years, are burned 
in the lake of fire which purifies the earth. 
“Our God shali come, and shall not keep silence: 
a fire shall devour before Him, and it shall be 
very tempestuous round about Him. He shall 
call to the heavens from above, and to the earth, 
that He may judge His people. Gather My 
saints together unto Me; those that have made 
a covenant with Me by sacrifice. And the 
heavens shall declare His righteousness: for 
God is judge Himself.” 

From time immemorial, the prophecies have 
foretold this day of vengeance, and warned the 
inhabitants of the earth to flee from the wrath 
to come. But men were lovers of their own 
selves. To Jeremiah the Lord said, “ Prophesy 
thou against them all these words, and say unto 
them, The Lord shall roar from on high, and 
utter His voice from His holy habitation ; He 
shall mightily roar upon His habitation; He 
shall give a shout,‘as they that tread the grapes, 
against all the inhabitants of the earth. A 
noise shall come even to the ends of the earth; 
for-the Lord hath a controversy with the na- 
tions, He will plead with all flesh; He will give 
them that are wicked to the sword. . . . 
And the slain of the Lord shall be at that day 
from one end of the earth even unto the other 
end of the earth: they shall not be lamented, 
neither gathered, nor buried ; they shall be dung 
upon the ground.” ; 


THE TWO SUPPERS. 


The culmination of all destruction comes at 
the appearing of Christ as Commander of the 
hosts of heaven. And when the slain cover the 
earth from one end to the other, a mighty angel 
is represented as standing over against the sun, 
and crying so that the fowls of the whole earth 
hear, saying, “‘Come and gather yourselves to- 
gether unto the supper of the great God; that 
ye may eat the flesh of kings, and the flesh of 
captains, and the flesh of mighty men, and 
the flesh of horses, and of them that sit on 
them, and the flesh of all men, both free 
and bond, both small and great.” It is over. 
Those who sought to slay the truth,—men 
from every kindred, representing all classes, lie 
dead, slain by the Word which they rejected. 
And while Christ returns to heaven with the re- 
deemed, the fowls of the heavens devour the 
bodies of the slain. This is one supper,—a 
feast of death. Whata contrast to the marriage 
supper of the Lamb! It is the last feast, even 
for birds of prey, whose very existence typifies 
the devouring nature of sin. The earth is soon 
without form and void! Even the life of birds 
is destroyed ; for the elements melt with fervent 
heat ; the heavens roll together as a scroll, and 
the atmosphere is dissolved. 

All are called to the marriage supper of the 
Lamb; all may be there, but those who have re- 
jected the Word will be smitten when He comes 
as a consuming fire. 


323 


He shall smite the earth with the 
rod of his mouth, and with the 
breath of his lips shall he slay the 
wicked. Isa. 1134. 

For these be the days of venge- 
ance, that all things which are writ- 
ten may be fulfilled. 

Luke 21 :22, 





The fowls of the heavens 
devour the bodies of the slain. 
For wheresoever the carcase is, 
there will the eagles be gathered 
together. Matt. 24 :28. 


I beheld the earth, and, lo, it was 
without form, and void; and the 
heavens, and they had no light. 

I beheld the mountains, and, lo, 
they trembled, and all the hills 
moved lightly. 

I beheld, and, lo, there was no 
man, and all the birds of the heay- 
ens were fled. 

I beheld, and, lo, the fruitful 
place was a wilderness, and all the 
cities thereof were broken down at 
the presence of the Lord, and by 
his fierce anger. 

For thus hath the Lord said, The 
whole land shall be desolate ; yet 
will I not make a full end. 


Jer. 423-27. 





CHAPTER XXI. 


THE JUDGMENT OF THE WICKED. 


Thus saith the Lord; Behold, I 
set before you the way of life, and 
the way of death. Jer. 27:8. 


Amos 5 :14. 


He that is not with me is against 
me; and he that gathereth not with 
me scattereth abroad. 

Matt. 12 :30. 


Josh; 5:14. 


He brought me to the banquet- 
ing house, and his banner over me 


was love. Song Sol. 2:4. 


Who said, Let us take to our- 
selves the houses of God in pos- 
session. Psa. 83 : 12. 


No servant can serve two mas- 
ters : for either he will hate the one, 
and love the other; or-else he will 
hold to the one, and despise the 
other. Ye cannot serve God and 
mammon, Luke 16 : 13. 


324 


Tue history of our little planet reveals the 
conflict between two opposing characters. The 
good and the evil, the true and the false, have 
made this the battle field of contention. The 
contest has been over two principles, and every 
individual has enlisted on one side, or on the 
other. There has been no middle ground. 
Christ is General of the forces of heaven, and 
love and truth have been the banners under 
which His people have fought. Satan has 
commanded the other army, and it has been 
his plan to overthrow not only those who 
fought with Emmanuel, but to blot out the 
government of God. To this end he has fought; 
and in the contest of six thousand years, only 
two minds have controlled. Men who have nct 
accepted Christ have been enrolled in the army 
of the enemy. The lite history of Satan is 
sad beyond measure. It is the record of 
one who took a position for self, for false 


THE JUDGMENT OF THE WICKED. 


hood, and for tyranny. In the whole course of 
its progress, it has been a succession of defeats. 
Seeming victory for a time, was but the herald 
of a more overwhelming rebuff, when the end 
was known. In wisdom, the arch enemy ex- 
celled all in the universe, except the Father 
and the Son ; in beauty, he outshone the angelic 
hosts ; in power, he stood next to Christ. He 
is thus described by inspiration: “Thou sealest 
up the sum, full of wisdom, and perfect in 
beauty . every precious stone was thy 
covering. . . . Thou art the anointed cherub 
that covereth; and I have set thee so: thou 
wast upon the holy mountain of God; thou hast 
walked up and down in the midst of the stones 
of fire. Thou wast perfect in thy ways from 
the day that thou wast created, till iniquity was 
found in thee.” 

Then from this exalted place as covering 
cherub, whose wings overspread the throne, and 
through whom the eternal glory shone, he fell 
through pride. ‘Thine heart was lifted up be- 
cause of thy beauty, thou hast corrupted thy 
wisdom by reason of thy brightness.” Jealous 
of Christ, the only one united with the Father 
in the councils of heaven, Satan raised rebellion. 
This was the beginning of self-exaltation, and 
all iniquity has since flowed from this fountain 
head. ‘There was war in heaven: Michael and 
His angels fought against the dragon; and the 
dragon fought and his angels, and prevailed not.” 
This was the first defeat, the first step toward 
his complete destruction. He left his position 
by the throne to set up a rival government. 
Satan and his angels were cast out of heaven. 
“Neither was their place found any more in 


325 


Eze, 28:17. 


Thus saith the Lord God; Be- 
cause thine heart is lifted up, and 
thou hast said, I am a God, I sit in 
the seat of God, in the midst of 
the seas. Eze. 28:2. 


Ye are of your father the devil, 
and the lusts of your father ye will 
do. He was a murderer from the 
beginning, and abode not in the 
truth, because there is no truth in 
him. When he speaketh a lie, he 


‘speaketh of his own: for he is a 


liar, and the father of it. 
John 8: 44. 


Thus saith the Lord God; Thou 
sealest up the sum, full of wisdom, 
and perfect in beauty. 

Eze. 28:12. 


FIRST FALL OF SATAN. 
Eze. 28:15. Was perfect when 
created. 
Eze. 28:12. 
Eze. 28:12. 


Full of wisdom. 
Perfect in beauty. 

Eze. 28:14. Covering cherub. 

Eze. 28:17. He first became 
proud of his beauty. 

Eze. 28:17. His pride ruined his 
wisdom. 

Isa. 14:13. 
position. 

Isa. 14:14. Coveted the throne 
of God. 

Rev. 12:7. Other angels were 
affected by his course. 

Rev. 12:7. Christ and the loyal 
angels fought against Satan and his 
angels. 

Rev. 12:8. Satan was defeated. 

Isa. 14:12. Satan cast out of 
heaven. 

Rev. 12:9. 
out with him. 

Rev. 12:9. 
this earth. 

Gen. 3:1-6. He caused our first 
parents to sin. 

Rom. 6: 16. 
minion, 

Eph. 2:2. 
of the air. 

John 14:30. The Saviour called 
him the prince of this world. 


He coveted a higher 


His angels were cast 


They were cast to 


Gained Adam’s do- 


Prince of the power 


326 STORY 


Pride goeth before destruction, 
and a haughty spirit before a fall. 
Proy. 16:18. 


Now the serpent was more subtile 
than any beast of the field which 
the Lord God had made. And he 
said unto the woman, Yea, hath 
God said, Ye shall not eat of every 
tree of the garden? Gen. 3:1. 


SECOND FALL OF SATAN. 

1 Kings 22:19-22. Although Sa- 
tan and his angels had been cast 
from heaven, they still could appear 
in the councils of the Lord at the 
gate of heaven. 

Job 1:6. Satan met with the 
sons of God. 

Luke 3:38. Adam as prince of 
this earth was called a ‘‘son of 
God.” 

2 Pet. 2:19. 
Adam’s position. 

Job 1:7. He represented the 
earth in the council. 

Job 1:9, 10. He accused God of 
being arbitrary. 

Job 1:12-22. When given power 
he only destroyed. 

John 14:30, Satan has no part 
in Christ. He was a son of Adam 
but never sinned. 

John 12 :31-33. Christ said His 
death would judge Satan. 

John 12:31. Christ’s death cast 
Satan out of his place. 

Luke 10:18. He fell as light- 
ning from heaven. 

Rev. 2:10. A shout rang through 
heaven when the accused was cast 
out. 

2 Pet.2:19. Christ overcame 
Satan, and is now the representative 
of this world, 

Heb. 2:17. Instead of an ac- 
cuser now at the gate of heaven, 
we have a merciful High Priest. 

Heb. 4:14-16. One who loves 
to be merciful to us, 


Satan usurped 


As Moses lifted up the serpent in 
the wilderness, even so must the 
Son of man be lifted up: 

That whosoever believeth in him 
should not perish, but have eternal 
life. John 3:14, 15. 


ie t 


OF THE SEER OF PATMOS. ~ 
heaven.” This was the first casting d 
Lucifer. Fe i 

Cast out from the presence of God, Satan was 
allowed to make the earth the seat of his power, 
that God might vindicate His law and His gov- 
ernment in the sight of all the universe. The 
devil, therefore, became the prince of the earth 
and the air, and as the prince of the earth, he met 
with the representatives of other worlds before 
the gate of heaven. Year after year, he stood 
in that assembly as the accuser of Christ and the 
brethren. He still basely accused God of in- 
justice, and laid upon Him the blame of the 
rebellion. On earth, he was exerting every 
effort to establish a government that would not 
be overthrown ; in the council, he was striving 
to prove that his lack of success was due to 
interference with his plans by the God of 
heaven. 

In the fullness of time, the Prince of Peace 
came to the earth. In the heart of the govern- 
ment of the enemy He lived a sinless life. The 
will of God was done by Him as it is constantly 
done in heaven. But the sinless One was slain: 
the cross was the reward of virtue, when Satan 
meted out the judgment. Unfallen worlds 
watched and wondered; and as Christ hung 
upon the cross, the assembly at the gate of 
heaven decided that Satan should no longer 
enter there. “It is finished,” the Saviour cried, 
as His gaze pierced the gloom. “Now is the 
judgment of this world: now shall the prince 
of this world be cast out”; and seeing the 
triumph of the cross, He said, “I, if I be lifted 
up from the earth, will draw all unto Me.” 
“And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, 







THE JUDGMENT OF THE WICKED. 


Now is come salvation, and strength, and the 
kingdom of our God, and the power of His 
Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is 
cast down, which accused them before our God 
day and night. And they overcame him by the 
blood of the Lamb.” Thus Satan, at the cruci- 
fixion, was shut out of the council of worlds. 


Christ said, “I beheld Satan as lightning san 


from heaven.” This 
was his second casting 
down. 

Since the resurrection 
of Christ, Satan, know- 
ing that his time for 
work was short, has put 
forth all his strength in 
gaining subjects for his 
kingdom. He goes about to-day as a roar- 
ing lion, seeking whom he may devour. 
The kingdoms of the earth are becoming 
more and more under his power. The 
churches, once controlled by the Spirit of 
God, now render allegiance to the prince of 
this world. A miracle working power is 
abroad in the earth, deceiving, if possible, the 
very elect. The little company who preserve 
the knowledge of God in the earth, are hunted 
and persecuted on all sides; but finally the 
Saviour will appear to take these to the city 
which He is now preparing for them. The 
wicked are slain by the brightness of His com- 
ing, and are scattered over the face of the earth, 
—a feast for birds of prey; or are swallowed up 
in the mighty earthquakes. The earth, broken 
and torn by the reelings to and fro in the 
seventh plague, is dark and dismal. It is with- 


327 


He said unto them, I beheld Sa- 
tan as lightning fall from heaven. 
Luke ro: 18. 


The blood of Jesus Christ his Son 
cleanseth us from all sin. 
1 John 1:7. 





I beheld Satan as lightning fall 
from heaven. 


For we can do nothing against 
the truth, but for the truth. 
~ 
2 Cor. 13:8. 


Who did no sin, neither was guile 
found in his mouth. 1 Pet. 2:22. 


Him, being delivered by the de- 
terminate counsel and foreknowl- 
edge of God, ye have taken, and by 
wicked hands have crucified and 
slain. Acts 2:23. 


The God of our fathers raised up 
Jesus, whom ye slew and hanged 
on a tree. Acts 5:30. 


328 


And they shall be gathered to- 
gether, as prisoners are gathered in 
the pit, and shall be shut up in the 
prison, and after many days shall 
they be visited. Isa. 24:21, 22. 


And | saw an angel come down — 


from heaven, having the key of 
the bottomless pit and a great 
chain in his hand. 

And he laid hold on the dragon, 
that old serpent, which Is the 
Devil, and Satan, and bound him a 
thousand years, 

And cast him into the bottomless 
pit, and shut him up, and seta 
seal upon him, that he should de- 
ceive the nations no more, till the 
thousand years should be fulfilled : 
and after that he must be loosed a 
little season. Rev, 20 :1-3. 


THIRD FALL OF SATAN, 

Rev. 20:1-3. It does not take 
Christ ora host of angels to over- 
come Satan now, one angel can 
bind him. 

Rev. 20:3. 
own territory. 

Jer. 4223-26, Isa.24:19-21. Sin 
has made the earth a dark abyss. 

1 Thess. 4: 16,17. The righteous 
are in heaven. 

Jer. 25 31-33. 
all dead. 

Rey. 20:3. Satan is alone with 
the evil angels for one thousand 


He is confined to his 


The wicked are 


years. 
Rey. 20:5. The wicked live 
again at the end of the thousand 
years. 
Rey. 20:7. This gives Satan 
work and he is said to be ‘‘ loosed.”” 
Rev. 20:8. He deceives the 
wicked, 
Rey. 20:9. As they gather for 


battle they are all destroyed. 

Heb. 2:14. Christ died to de- 
stroy Satan. 

Rev. 20:10. As long as Satan 
lives in the fire he suffers torment. 

Eze. 28:18,19. Satan becomes 
ashes upon the earth in the sight of 
all the righteous. 

Mal. 4:1-3. Ashes on the new 
earth is all that remains of Satan 
and sinners. 








out form, and void, and darkness is pe 
face of the deep, as before God spake fo: 
creation of light. It is chaos, the 


dragon, the ancient beroaie which is Adversary 
and Satan, and bound him for a thousand years, 
and hurled him into the abyss, and fastened and 
sealed [it] up above him, that he might not de- 
ceive any longer the nations.” He is cast into 
the abyss, and it is sealed above him; so for one 
thousand years, Satan is confined to the earth. 
He no longer has liberty to visit other worlds; 
but alone on the earth, from which all life is 
gone ; alone with his own thoughts, he has time 
to contemplate the record of the past six thou- 
sand years of rebellion against the throne of God. 
He is no longer the beautiful covering cherub, - 
the leader of the angel choir, the sweet singer of 
heaven, sealing up the sum full of wisdom and 
beauty. - The glory has faded, and the counte- 
nance, once lighted with the love of God, now 
betrays the scheming wickedness of six thousand 
years of crime. This is the third casting out of 
Satan. At the end of the thousand years, “he 
must be loosed a little season ’’; and then comes 
the final destruction, the blotting out of the last 
trace of sin. 

The question sometimes arises, “ What will 
take place during the thousand years between the 
binding of Satan and his being loosed for a little 
season?” To John was revealed the event 
which would take place during that time. 

‘“‘T saw the souls of them that were beheaded 


Satan on the desolate earth. 





aa 





THE JUDGMENT OF THE WICKED. 


for the witness of Jesus, and for the Word of 
God, and which had not worshiped the beast, 
neither hisimage . . . and they lived and 
reigned with Christ a thousand years. But the 
rest of the dead lived not again until the thous- 
and years were finished. This is the first resur- 
rection.” When Christ appears on the white 
cloud, “He shall send His angels with a 
great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather 
together His elect from the four winds, from 
one end of heaven to the other.” Paul saw the 
same scene, and thus describes it: “The Lord 
Himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, 
with the voice of the archangel, and with the 
trump of God: and.the dead in Christ shall rise 
first: then we which are alive and remain shall 
be caught up together with them in the clouds, 
to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we 
ever be with the Lord.” This is the first resur- 
rection, when the righteous dead will come forth 
at the sound of the voice of Christ, and with 
the living righteous, meet the Lord in the air. 
“Blessed and holy 1s he that hath part in the 
first resurrection. . . They shall be priests 
of God and of Christ, and shall reign with Him 
a thousand years.” 

“And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, 
and judgment was given unto them.” During 
the thousand years, the saints live in the New 
Jerusalem, the city of God; and as priests of 
God and of Christ, they sit in judgment on the 
cases of the wicked. “Do ye not know,” 
wrote Paul to the Corinthians, “that the saints 
shall judge the world? . . . Know ye not 
that we shall judge angels?” Peter had this 
judicial work in mind when he wrote that “God 


329 


And I saw thrones, and they sat 
upon them, and judgment was 
given unto them: and | saw the 
souls of them that were beheaded 
for the witness of Jesus, and for 
the word of God, and which had 
not worshipped the beast, neither 
his Image, neither had received 
his mark upon their foreheads, or 
in their hands; and tney lived and 
reigned with Christ a thousand 
years. Rev. 20:4. 


Matt. 24 :31. 

Gather my saints together unto 
me; those that have made a cov- 
enant with me by sacrifice. 

Psa. 50:5. 

The Lord shall roar from on high, 
and utter his voice from his holy 
habitation; he shall mightily roar 
upon his habitation; he shall give 
a shout, as they that tread the 
grapes, against all the inhabitants 
of the earth. Jer. 25 : 30. 


1 Thess. 4:16, 17. 


Marvel not: at this: for the hour 
is coming, in the which all that are 
in the graves shall hear his voice, 

And shall come forth; they that 
have done good, unto the resurrec- 
tion of life; and they that have 
done evil, unto the resurrection of 
damnation. John 5 :28, 29. 


Rev. 20:6. 


Do ye not know that the saints 
shall judge the world? and if the 
world shall be judged by you, are 
ye unworthy to judge the smallest 
matters? 

Know ye not that we shall judge 
angels? how much more things that 
pertain to this life? 

1 Cor. 6:2, 3. 


For if God spared not the angels 
that sinned, but cast them down to 
hell, and delivered them into chains 
of darkness, to be reserved unto 
judgment. 2 Pet. 2:4. 


Jude 6. 


330 


Also now, behold, my witness is 
in heaven, and my record is on high, 
Job 16:19. 


For though thou wash thee with 
nitre, and take thee much sope, yet 
thine iniquity is marked before me, 
saith the Lord God. Jer. 2: 22. 


Eccl. 12:14. 
Gal. 6:7. 
Matt. 12:36, 37. 


Suffer not thy mouth to cause thy 
flesh to sin; neither say thou before 
the angel, that it was an error: 
wherefore should God be angry at 
thy voice, and destroy the work of 
thine hands? 

Eccl. 5 36. 


Then they that feared the Lord 
spake often one to another : and the 
Lord hearkened, and heard it, and 
a book of remembrance was written 
before him for them that feared the 
Lord, and that thought upon his 
name. Mal. 3 : 16. 


Psa. 84:4, 6. 
Psaw 56:8, 


For the Lord’s portion is his peo- 
ple; Jacob is the lot of his inherit- 
ance. 

He found him in a desert land, 
and in the waste howling wilder- 
ness; he led him about, he in- 
structed him, he kept him as the 
apple of his eye. 

As an eagle stirreth up her nest, 
fluttereth over her young, spreadeth 
abroad her wings; taketh them, 
beareth them on her wings : 

So the Lord alone did lead him, 
and there was no strange god with 
him, Deut. 32 :9-12. 







spared not the angels that sinned, bu 

down to hell, and delivered them int 

darkness, to be reserved unto judgment. 
While the world has been making hi 

heaven has been keeping the records. | . 

God shall bring every work into judgment, a, 

every secret thing, whether it be good, or 

whether it be evil.” ‘ Be not deceived; God is 

not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that 

shall he also reap.” 
“But I say unto you,” said Christ, “That - : 

every idle word that men shall speak, they shall 

give account thereof in the day of judgment. 

For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by 

thy words thou shalt be condemned.” During 

the life of each individual, angels are recording the 

thoughts and the acts. These things are placed 

in a book, called by Malachi, the “ Book of Re- 

membrance.” This is the daybook of heaven, 

and in it are recorded not only the words and 

deeds, but the circumstances and motives which 

prompted the acts. The place in which a man is 

born is put on record as of importance in meting 

out justice. “ Jehovah will relate in the records 

of the peoples: [that] This One was born there.” 

«TI will mention Egypt and Babylon among those 

who acknowledge Me. Behold, O Philistia, 

and Tyre, together with Cush, This one shall 

be born there.” (Spurrell.) | David prays, “ Re- 

count Thou my griefs! Put my tears into Thy 

bottle! Are they not recorded in Thy book?” 

(Spurrell.) Every heartache caused by sin or 

oppression, every longing for a ‘higher spiritu- 

ality, a closer walk with God,—these are all 

written in this Book of Remembrance, in which 

are no false entries, for the records are divine. 





«“T have spread out My hands all the day unto 
a rebellious people, which walketh in a way that 
was not good. . . . Behold, it is written be- 
fore Me. . . . Therefore will I measure 
their former work into their bosom.” 

These are some of the things which are writ- 
ten over against our names in the daily records 
of heaven, All nature teaches the same lesson. 
There is a record kept in heaven; and there is 
an account just as accurate, kept in the body of 





There is a record kept in heaven. 


each individual. The acts of each day shape the 
character, shape the vessel which contains the spi- 
rit, as truly as the clay is shaped on the wheel in 
the hands of the potter. The facial expression, 
the language, the gestures, every thing about 
a person, can be read as an open book, by 
the keen eye of Jehovah; and this life record 
which each man carries with him to the time 
of death, is as true as the one in heaven. 
The two will exactly correspond in the day of 
judgment, when the books are opened, and the 
dead small and great stand before God. Man 
may deceive his fellow man as to his character, 


THE JUDGMENT OF THE WICKED. 


331 


Isa. 65 :2, 6, 7. 


A naughty person, a wicked man, 
walketh with a froward mouth. 

He winketh with his eyes, he 
speaketh with his fect, he teacheth 
with his fingers ; 

Frowardness is in his heart, he 
deviseth mischief continually; he 
soweth discord. Prov. 6:12-14. 


Rev. 20:12. 


The judgment was sct, and the 
books were opened. Dan. 7: 10. 


I saw the dead, small and great, 
stand before God; and the books 
were opened: and another book 
was opened, which is the book of 
life ; and the dead were judged out 
of those things which were written 
in the books according to their 
works, Rev. 20: 12. 


The shew of their countenance 
doth witness against them; and 
they declare their sin as Sodom, 
they hide it not. Woe unto their 
soul! for they have rewarded evil 
unto themselves. Isa. 3 39. 


Thou hast filled me with wrinkles, 
which is a witness against me : and 
my leanness rising up in me beareth 
witness to my face. Job 16:8, 


Jer. 18 : 4-6. 


He that hideth hatred with lying 
lips, and he that uttereth a slander, 
is a fool. Prov. 10:18, 


332 STORY 


I will praise thee ; for I am fear- 
fully and wonderfully made: mar- 
vellous are thy works ; and that my 
soul knoweth right well. 

My substance was not hid from 
thee, when I was made in secret, 
and curiously wrought in the lowest 
parts of the earth. 


Thine eyes did see my substance, 
yet being unperfect; and in thy 
book all my members were written, 
which in continuance were fash- 
ioned, when as yet there was none 
of them, Psa. 139 : 14-16. 


Now, lo, if he beget a son, that 
seeth all his fathers sins which he 
hath done, and considereth, and 
doeth not such like, 

That hath not eaten upon the 
mountains, neither hath lifted up 
his eyes to the idols of the house of 
Israel, hath not defiled his neigh- 
bor’s wife, : 

Neither hath oppressed any, hath 
not withholden the pledge, neither 
hath spoiled by violence, but hath 
given his bread to the hungry, and 
hath covered the naked witha gar- 
ment, 

That hath taken off his hand from 
the poor, that hath not received 
usury nor increase, hath executed 
my judgments, hath walked in my 
statutes ; he shall not die for the 
iniquity of his father, he shall surely 
live. Eze, 18: 14-17. 


I entreat thee also, true yokefel- 
low, help those women which la- 
boured with me in the gospel, with 
Clement also, and with other my 
fellowlabourers, whose names are 
in the book of life. Phil. 4:3. 


Luke 10:20. 


.The Lord said unto Moses, Who- 
soever hath sinned against me, him 
will I blot out of my book. 

Ex. 32:33. 


When a righteous man turneth 
away from his righteousness, and 
committeth iniquity, and dieth in 
them ; for his iniquity that he hath 
done shall he die. Eze, 18:26, 


Gal. 6:7, 8 







OF THE SEER OF PATMOS. _ 


but this is only because of his brother’s ir 
to read. Every page is unwritten at birth; but 
with the first breath, the recording angel begins _ 
to write. If only one life were effected by the 
acts of to-day, they might be lightly passed ; but 
our daily thoughts and deeds are reproduced 
tomorrow in a new generation. God, seeing the 
influence of heredity, passes judgment upon the 
one who is truly to blame. In earthly tribunals, 
many a man suffers for the crimes of his an- 
cestors. In the final judgment, this will not be 
so; for the Book of Remembrance is the record 
of an infinite Being. He sees the end from the 
beginning, and knoweth our thoughts from 
afar off. 

Besides the Book of Remembrance there is the 
Book of Life. This is referred to many times in 
the Scriptures. On its pages, appear the names 
of all who have ever professed the name of 
Christ; all who have reached heavenward for 
help. The Saviour gently rebuked His disciples 
when they gloried over the success which at- 
tended their first missionary trip, and said, 
“ Rather rejoice because your names are written 
in heaven.” Those who remain true to God 
have their names retained in the Lamb’s Book 
of Life; and the good deeds from the Book of 
Remembrance are written opposite these names. 
Those who grow weary, and turn away from the 
Lord, have their names blotted out of the Book 
of Life; and at the same time, the record in the 
Book of Remembrance, shows only the sins they 
have committed. When a name is enrolled in 
the Book of Life, the name of Christ is taken, 
and by faith the works of Christ are imputed to 
the believer. When man forsakes Christ, there 





is no record of good deeds, for without Him we 
can do nothing; and the page is soon filled with 
a record of pride, selfishness, and all the works 
of the flesh. “For he that soweth to his flesh 
shall of the flesh reap corruption.” 

On the other hand, when a soul repents, it 
matters not what the past record of sin may 
have been, his name is entered on the pages of 
the Book of Life; those sins are covered by the 
blood of Christ, and are finally blotted out. 
“Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that 
your sins may be blotted out, when the times of 
refreshing shall come from the presence of the 
herd.” ..; 

The third book is the Book of Death, and in 
it are the names of those who might have had 
life, but who chose death. Over against each 
name, is the list of sins, to which flesh is heir 
when it stands to battle with the world and the 
devil, without the aid of Christ.. “For though 
thou wash thee with nitre, and take thee much 
soap, yet thine iniquity is marked before Me, 
saith the Lord God.’ This Book of Death is 
_ teferred to when Hosea says: “The iniquity of 
Ephriam is bound up; his sin is hid.” And Job 
said: ‘My transgression is sealed up in a bag, 
aad Thou sewest up mine iniquity.” 

These three books,—the Book of Life of the 
Lamb, the Book of Remembrance, and the Book 
of Death are often referred to by the inspired 
writer. When the investigative judgment began 
in 1844, the Book of Life was opened; and be- 
fore the Father, Christ pleaded His own blood 
for every name for which pardon was written. 
The Look of Remembrance told of sins com- 
mitted by these, but Christ’s righteousness was 


THE JUDGMENT OF THE WICKED. 


333 


THE THREE BOOKS OF 
JUDGMENT. 


I, BOOK OF REMEMBRANCE. 
Mal.3:16. Records every word. 
Matt. 12 236,37. Idle words. 
Psa. 56:8. Tears of repentance. 
Psa. 87:4-6. Birthplace and en- 

vironments. 
Eccl. 12213, 14. Every secret 


Counsels of the 


It. BOOK OF LIFE, 

Luke 10:20, Names written in 
heaven. 

Luke 10:19, 20. To be enrolled 
in the book of life is the highest 
honor given mortals. 

Phil. 4:3. Names of faithful 
workers recorded. 

Ex. 32:33. The names of those 
that cling to sin will be removed. 

Rev. 3:5. Names of the faithful 
retained. 

Rev. 13 :8317:8. Wicked are not 
recorded. 

Rey. 20:15. None will be saved 
whose names are not recorded in 
the book of life. 

Isa. 4:3 [margin.] 

Psa. 69:28; Eze. 13 29. 

Heb. 12:23; Dan. 12:3. 


III. BOOK OF DEATH. 

Jer. 17:13. Those that forsake 
God are written in the earth. 

Jer. 2:22. Sins all recorded. 

Job. 14:17. Sims sealed up. 

Deut. 32 :32-36. The sins of the 
wicked are all ‘‘ laid up in store’ 
until the day of punishment. 

Hos. 13:12. Sin bound up, 


334 STORY 


When he hath made an end of 
reconciling the holy place, and the 
tabernacle of the congregation, and 
the altar, he shall bring the live 
goat: 

And Aaron shall lay both his 
hands upon the head of the live 
goat, and confess over him all the 
iniquities of the children of Israel, 
and all their transgressions in all 
their sins, putting them upon the 
head of the goat, and shall send 
him away by the hand of a fit man 
into the wilderness : 

And the goat shall bear upon him 
all their iniquities unto a land not 
inhabited: and he shall let go the 
goat in the wilderness. 

Lev. 16 :20-22. 


His mischief shall return upon 
his own head, and his violent deal- 
ing shall come down upon his own 
pate. Psa. 7:16. 


But the rest of the dead lived 
not again until the thousand years 
were finished. This Is the first 
resurrection. 

Blessed and holy is he that hath 
part in the first resurrection: on 
such the second death hath no 
power, but they shall be priests of 
God and of Christ, and shall reign 
with him a thousand years, 

And when the thousand years 
are expired, Satan shall be loosed 
out of his prison. Rev. 20:6-7. 


Rey. 20:6, 7. 


Thy dead men shall live, together 
with my dead body shall they arise. 
Awake and sing, ye that dwell in 
dust : for thy dew is as the dew of 
herbs, and the earth shall cast out 
the dead. Isa. 26 719, 


a covering, and the sins were tra 
Satan’s account in the Book of Death. 


OF THE SEER OF PATMOS. 


of the temple in heaven. 


work of the high priest in the earthly sanctuary 
on the day of atonement. 
priest came out of the sanctuary, and laid his 
hand on the head of the scapegoat, in the outer 
court and confessed the sins of the people upon 
its head, in type transferring them to the goat, 









On that day the 


which was then led into the wilderness by the 
hand of a “man of opportunity” This repre- 
sented the work brought to view in the twenti- 


eth chapter of Revelation. 


When Christ fin- 


ishes His work in the temple, the sins of Israel 
will all be laid upon Satan ; and during the thou- 
sand years on the earth, alone and desolate, the 
sins which he tempted the redeemed to commit, 
will rest heavily on his heart. His name heads 
the list in that Book of Death, and it is fol- 
lowed by the multitudes innumerable as the 
sands by the seaside who have chosen him as 


leader. 


During the thousand years the right- 


eous reign with Christ, and with Him, go through 
the Book of Death, awarding punishment to 
those whose names are written there. 

‘Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the 
first resurrection: on such the second death 


hath no power. . . 


And when the thou- 


sand years are ae Satan shall be loosed 


out of his prison.” 


At the voice of God, ‘the earth gave up the 


dead, who have long slept in her bosom. 


“ The 


sea gave up the dead which were in it; and 
death and the grave delivered up the dead which 


were in them.” 


They rise to see the holy city 





come down from God out of heaven. The 
Mount of Olives cleaves asunder and the city 
with all its inhabitants rests there,— the 
wicked behold the reward of the right- 
eous. Then Satan marshals the hosts of the 
wicked who have been resurrected, and in- 
spires in them a hope that the city of God can 
be taken. His army is innumerable; it is com- 
posed of men from all ages,—giant intellects, 
heroes and the great men of earth, kings, rulers, 
and mighty men of wealth, come forth from 
their graves with the same selfish ambitions 
with which life closed. These, the number of 
whom is as the sands of the sea, are perfectly or- 
ganized and thoroughly drilled. In battle array, 
they march over the broken surface of the earth, 
toward the holy city, which stands beautiful and 
glorified. As the hosts approach the holy city, 
with its glittering foundations and gates of pearl, 
shrouded in the light of its King, the gates are 
closed, and on a great white throne, high and 
lifted up above the city walls, in full view of 
the unnumbered hosts, sits the King of Kings, 
holding aloft the law of God. Those in harmony 
with this foundation truth are within the city. 
Those who have rejected this, and chosen the 
leadership of Satan are without. For a brief 
time the wicked behold the glories which they 
have lost. Christ is seen in all His beauty. 
The story of redeeming love from the fall to 
the end, revealed by the cross, flashes vividly 
before every mind. “ His horn shall be exalted 
with honor. The wicked shall see it, and be 
grieved; he shall gnash with his teeth, and melt 
away: the desire of the wicked shall perish.” 
“There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth, 


THE JUDGMENT OF THE WICKED. 


335 


I will set my glory among the 
heathen, and all the heathen shall 
see my judgment that I have exe- 
cuted, and my hand that I have laid 
upon them. Eze. 39:21. 


His feet shall stand in that day 
upon the mount of Olives, which is 
before Jerusalem on the east, and 
the mount of Olives shall cleave in 
the midst thereof toward the east 
and toward the west, and there shail 
be a very great valley ; and half of 
the mountain shall remove toward 
the north, and half of it toward the 
south, Zech. 14:4. 


For, lo, thine enemies make a tu- 
mult: and they that hate thee have 
lifted up the head. 

They have taken crafty counsel 
against thy people, and consulted 
against thy hidden ones. 

They have said, Come, and let us 
cut them off from being a nation; 
that the name of Israel may be no 
more in remembrance. 

For they have consulted together 
with one consent: they are confed- 
erate against thee. Psa. 83 : 2-5. 


And shall go out to deceive the 
nations which are in the four 
quarters of the earth, Gog and 
Magog, to gather them together to 
battle: the number of whom is as 
the sand of the sea. 

And they went up on the breadth 
of the earth, and compassed the 
camp of the saints about, and the 
beloved city. Rev, 20:8, 9. 


Isawa great white throne, and 
him that sat on it, from whose face 
the earth and the heaven fled away. 

Rev. 20:11. 

The Lord hath made known his 
salvation: his righteousness hath 
he openly shewed in the sight of the 
heathen. Psa. 98:2. 

The heavens declare his right- 
eousness, and all the people see his 
glory. Psa. 97 :6. 

Thine eyes shall see the king in 
his beauty: they shall behold the 
land that is very far off. 

Isa. 33 217. 


336 


He shall snatch on the right 
hand, and be hungry ; and he shall 
eat on the left hand, and they shall 
not be satisfied: they shall eat 
every man the flesh of his own arm: 

Manasseh, Ephraim; and Eoh- 
raim, Manasseh: and they together 
shall be against Judah. For all 
this his anger is not turned away, 
but his hand is stretched out still. 

Isa. 9 :20, 21. 

Wherefore God also hath highly 
exalted him, and given him a name 
which is above every name: 

That at the name of Jesus every 
knee should bow, of things in 
heaven, and things in earth, and 
things under the earth ; 

And that every tongue should 
confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, 
to the glory of God the Father. 
Phil. 2 :9-11. 


< 





The ark in the flood. 
are.’ ‘And death and hell were cast into 


And fire came down from God 
out cf heaven, and devoured them. 

And the devil that deceived them 
was cast into the lake of fire and 
brimstone, where the beast and 
the false prophet are, and shall 
be tormented day and night for 
ever and ever, 

And | saw a great white throne, 
and him that sat onit, from whose 
face the earth and the heaven fied 
away; and there was found no 
place for them. 

And Il saw the dead, small and 
great, stand before God; and the 
books were opened: and another 
book was opened, which is the 


STORY OF THE SEER OF PATMOS. 






when ye shall see Abraham, and Isaac, 
and Jacob, and all the prophets in the king- 
dom of God, and ye yourselves thrust out.” 
Christ is exalted in the presence of that host; 
every knee is bent before Him, and every soul 
in that multitude, of the condemned, renders 
praise to Jehovah. Satan himself is obliged to 
witness to the triumph of truth in the Son of 
God. The righteous, within the city, who have 
looked into the life records of those without the 
walls, see, as this host marches in battle array, 
that the spirit of destruction still possesses their 
hearts, and they acknowledge that the judg- 
ments of God are true and righteous altogether. 
=e Then from His throne, God 
breathes upon the assembled 
multitudes. Fire comes down 
from God out of heaven, and 
mingles with the fire which 
comes from the interior of the 
earth; and it devours them. 
“The devil that deceived them 
[the nations] was cast into the 
lake of fire and brimstone, where 
the beast and the false prophet 


the lake of fire. . . . And whosoever was 
not found written in the Book of Life was 
cast into the lake of fire.” This is the second 
death. Here, the words of the Psalmist are 
fulfilled: “The righteous shall be recom- 
pensed in the earth: much more the wicked and 
the sinner.” The city of God, like the ark in 
the flood, rides safely on the billows of flame. 
The elements melt with fervent heat, and the 
earth, with all its works is burned up. The 


THE JUDGMENT OF THE WICKED. 


wicked become ashes under the soles of the feet 
of the righteous. The last act in the shadowy 
service of the tabernacle,—the placmg of the 
ashes of the bullock in a clean place,—has met 
its antitype. The earth is cleansed by fire; sin, 
and all its blasting effects are destroyed. The 
controversy is atan end. The enemy of truth, 
together with all who have championed his 
cause, is forever blotted out of existence: the 
earth is ready to be renewed by the presence of 
God, and repeopled by those who have been 
snatched by the love of Christ from the rum 
which threatened to engulf the race. The 
struggle -was a terrible one; the victory was 
dearly bought, but looking upon the company, 
gathered about the throne, Christ sees the 
travail of His soul and is satisfied. 


337 


bo08 of life: and the dead were 
judged aut of those things which 
were written in the oaks, accord 
ing to their works. 

And the sea gave up the dead 
which were in it ; and death and 
hell delivered up the dead which 
were im them: and they were 
judged every man according to 
their works. 

And death and heil were cast 
into the lake of fire. This is the 
second death, 

And whosoever was not found 
written im the book of life was 
east into the lake af fire. 

Reu. 20) : 9-76. 


What do ye imagine against the 
Lord? he will make am utter end: 
affliction shall not rise up the sec- 
ond time. Nah. x =¢.. 


He shall see of the travail of his 
soul, and shall be satisfied = by his 
knowledge shall my righteous serv- 
ant justify many; for he shall bear 
their iniquities. 


Esa 53 52 








CHAPTER. xe 


THE GLORIES OF THE NEW JERUSALEM. 


WHERE wast thou when I laid the basis of the 
earth ? 

Declare: if thou art acquainted with under- 
standing. 

Who planned her measurement, if thou knowest ? 

Or who stretched forth the measuring line 
upon her? 

Into what were her sockets sunk ? 

Or who laid her key-stone, 

While the morning stars exulted together, 

And all the sons of God shouted for joy ? 

Or who enclosed the sea within doors 

When it burst forth as if issuing from the 
womb ? 

When I used the clouds for its vesture, 

And thick darkness for its swathing band ? 

When My decree brake silence over it, 

When I established its bars and its doors ; 

When I said: Thus far shalt thou come, but 





“In the beginning God no further, 
created the heaven and And here appoint I the boundary of thy tossing 
the earth.”” wave? 


Spurrell’s translation of Job 38 : 4-12. 
338 


THE GLORIES OF THE NEW JERUSALEM. 


In the beginning, when all things in the uni- 
verse perfectly obeyed the divine law; when 
worlds performed their revolutions throughout 
space in perfect unison, and in the universe of 
God there was not one note of discord, then 
He spake, and our world came into existence ; 
He commanded and it stood forth, and a shout 
rang from the sons of God; for they saw another 
work of His hands. Man upon it was as truly 
in harmony with the law of God as nature itself ; 
and God pronounced all things very good. In 
imnocency man was placed here in a home pre- 
pared of God, and there was but one thing for 
him to accomplish,—this was strength of char- 
acter, which would link humanity and divinity 
into one. © With the fall of man, a cloud rested 
on the face of the whole earth: the first glory 
was shrouded, and the world itself, was, at the 
time of the flood, turned out of its course. At 
creation, the waters filled the earth and there 
were no rains; but the ground was watered 
from beneath, by a mist which arose. At the 
flood, the fountains of the great deep were 
broken up, and the waters poured forth in great 
streams. Since that time, a large portion of the 
surface of our world, has been covered with vast 
seas. This was not so in the beginnag When 
sin filled the earth, God destroyed Sodom and 
Gomorrah by fire from heaven. Those two 
cities in the plain of the Jordan were destroyed 
for an object lesson of the destruction of the 
earth; and since that time, there has been fire 
within the earth,—the elements of its own de- 
struction, pent up, awaiting the command of Je- 
hovah, to perform their appointed work. At the 
end of the thousand years, fire will destroy the 


339 


By the word of the Lord were the 
heavens made ; and all the host of 
them by the breath cf his mouth. 

He gathereth the waters of the 
sea together as an heap: he layeth 
up the depth in storehouses. 

Let all the earth fear the Lord: 
let all the inhabitants of the world 
stand in awe of him. 

For he spake, and it was done; 
he commanded, and it stood fast. 

Psa. 33 : 6-9. 


Gen. 1:31. 


The Lord God commanded the 
man, saying, Of every tree of the 
garden thou mayest freely eat: 

But of the tree of the knowledge 
of good and evil, thou shalt not eat 
of it: for in the day that thou eat- 
est thereof thou shalt surely die. 

Gen. 2:16, 17. 


There went up a mist from the 
earth, and watered the whole face 
of the ground. Gen. 2 :6. 


Psa. 82:5. 
Job. 9:5. 


Hast thou marked the old way 
which wicked men have trodden? 
Which were cut down out of 
time, whose foundation was over- 
flown with a flood. 
Job 22:15, 16. 
Gen. 7:11. 


Even as Sodom and Gomorrha, 
and the cites about them in like 
manner, giving themselves over to 
fornication, and going after strange 
flesh, are set forth for an example, 
suffering the vengeance of eternal 
fire. Jude 7. 

Gen. 19 :24, 25. 

Deut. 32:22. 

The heavens and the earth, which 
are now, by the same word are kept 
in store, reserved unto fire against 
the day of judgment and perditiou 
of ungodly men, miei size 


340 STORY 


And I saw anew heaven and a 
new earth: for the first heaven 
and the first earth were passed 
away; and there was no more sea. 

And | John saw the holy city, 
new Jerusalem, coming down from 
God out of heaven, prepared asa 
bride adorned for her husband. 

Rev, 21:1, 2. 







































































































































































ms 
earth together with the wicked. “And I s 
a new heaven and a new earth: for the fi 
heaven and the first earth were passed away ; 
and there was no more sea.” Through the 
open heavens, Christ and the saints beheld the 
“New Jerusalem, coming down from God out of 
heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her hus- 
band.” Jerusalem is a name interwoven with 
all the history of the chosen people from the 
days of the establishment of the nation in the 
land of Palestine. 











JERUSALEM. 

Josh. 15:8. The ancient Jebusi 
or Jebus. 

Josh. 10:5-23. 
Joshua. 

Josh. 18:28. 
min, 

Judges 1:21. 
by Benjamin. 

2 Sam. 5:6-8. 
David. 

2 Sam. 5:9. Made the royal city. 

2 Chron. 6:6. Specially chosen 
by God. 

Jer. 17:20-25. God promised if 
they hallowed the Sabbath, Jeru- 
salem would remain forever. 

Jer. 17:27. Destruction threat- 
ened if they broke the Sabbath. 

Jer. 39:1-8. Destroyed by Neb- 
uchadnezzar. 

Lev. 25:2-4. God had com- 
manded that the land should rest 
every seventh year. 


King slain by 
Allotted to Benja- 
Never conquered 


Conquered by 





Jerusalem. 


The name means 
“possession of 
peace ;” and when 
the heathen were 
driven from its 
strongholds, and it 
became the capital 
of the Jewish na- 
tion, the promise 
given that 
should Israel adhere to the commandments 
of God, Jerusalem would become an everlasting 
city. But the conditions were unheeded, and 
that city, which in the days of Solomon, was 
raised to the highest pinnacle of fame as the 
capital of the world, has been degraded, dese- 
crated and burned, until to-day the very ground 
about it seems unable to support life; and the 
city itself is in the hands of the Mohammedans, 
the smoke of the bottomless pit. Here the 
Prince of heaven was crucified; here, on the site 
of the cross, He will at Jast erect His throne. 

If the plan of God had been followed, the 
Garden of Eden would have become the center 
of the city of God. That plan failed; and the 


was 





THE GLORIES OF THE NEW JERUSALEM. 


Jews had the privilege of making their city the 
house of Jehovah. They failed, and Christ 
ascended to heaven, there, to prepare a city, the 
New Jerusalem, as the capital of the universal 
kingdom. The New Jerusalem will be located 
on the precise spot where the city once stood. 
The Mount of Olives parts asunder, one half 
moving to the north, and one half to the south; 
and on the great plain between the peaks, the 
capital of the new earth will rest. Christ’s 
mission to the earth was to save that which was 
lost. Sin robbed man of the beauties of Eden; 
sin defeated the plans for the Jews; and what 
man might have done, but did not do because 
of evil, Christ does through the power of His 
love. In spite of the delay caused by sin, the 
final triumph will be greater than it could have 
been, had sin never entered the world. Such is 
the infinite depth of redeeming love. 

The story of Jerusalem is salvation’s story ; 
and throughout eternity, that glorious home of 
the saved, will tell to every saint who enters 
there, and will proclaim to all the universe, the 
cross of Christ and life through Him. When 
the city descends as a bride adorned for her 
husband, the redeemed receive it with shouts of 
triumph, and Christ receives it as the trophy of 
His struggles. Christ and His followers enter 
the city, and there is spread for them the mar- 
riage feast of the Lamb. 

From heaven the voice of Jehovah proclaims : 
“Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, 
and He will dwell with them, and they shall be 
His people, and God Himself shall be with 
them.” In Christ the God-man, Jehovah taber- 
nacled. His name was Emmanuel, which means 


341 


Lev. 26 :33-35. God had warned 
them that if they did noz let the 
land rest every seventh year He 
would take them out of it. 

2 Chron. 36:21. They sinned, 
and the Lord let the Jand keep her 
Sabbaths for seventy years, which 
would cover four hundred and ninety 
years they had neglected letting the 
land keep Sabbath. 

Neh. 13:17, 18. Breaking the 
weekly Sabbath of the Lord led to 
the neglect of the Sabbath for the 
land. 

Jer. 17:25. God designed Jeru- 
salem would remain forever. 

Rom. 8:3. Thesins of man de- 
stroyed the city. Christ came to 
give back what was lost. 

Heb. 11:16. Man failed to keep 
Jerusalem, so Christ has prepared 
a city for him. 

Gal. 4:26. This city is in heaven. 

Rev. 21:1,2. It will come to 
the new earth. It is called the New 
Jerusalem. 

Zech. 14:4. The new-city will 
occupy the site of the old Jerusa- 
lem. 

Jer. 17:24, 25. God’s original 
plan that the Sabbath should be 
hallowed by all who dwelt in Je- 
rusalem will be fulfilled. 

Rey. 22:14. Those who enter 
the new Jerusalem will keep all of 
the commandments, andin so doing 
will hallow the Sabbath. 


And | heard a great voice out of 
heaven saying, Behold, the taber= 
nacle of God is with men, and he 
will dwell with them, and they 
shall be his people, and God him= 
self shall be with them, and be 
their God. Rev, 21:8, 


Behold, a virgin shall be with 
child, and shall bring forth a son, 
and they shall call his name Em- 
manuel, which being interpreted is, 
God with us. Matt. 1223. 


342 


Where sin abounded, grace did 
much more abound. Rom. 5:20. 


And God shall wipe away all 
tears from their eyes; and there 
Shall be no more death, reither 
sorrow, nor crying, neither shall 
there be any more pain: for the 
former things are passed away. 

Rev, 21:4, 


He will swallow up death in vic- 
tory ; andthe Lord God will wipe 
away tears from off all faces; and 
the rebuke of his people shall he 
take away from off all the earth: 
for the Lord hath spoken it. 

Isa. 25:8. 


As it is written, Eye hath not 
seen, nor ear heard, neither have 
entered into the heart of man, the 
things which God hath prepared for 
them that love him, 1 Cor. 2:9. 


And he that sat upon the throne 
said, Behold, | make all things 
new. And he said unto me, Write: 
for these words are true and 
faithful, 

And he said unto me, It is done. 
1am Alpha and Omega, the begin- 
ning and the end. / will give unto 
him that is athirst of the fountain 
of the water of life freely. 

Reu, 21:6, 6. 


~ 

When all things shall be subdued 
unto him, then shall the Son also 
himself be subject unto him that 
put all things under him, that God 
may beallinall. 1 Cor. 15 :28, 


He that overcometh shall inherit 
all things; and / will be his God, 
and he shall be my son. 

But the fearful, and unbelieving, 
and the abominable, and murder- 
ers, and whoremongers, and sor- 
cerers, and idolaters, and all liars, 
shall have their part in the lake 
which burneth with fire and brim- 
stone; which is the second death. 

Rev. 21:7, 8. 


STORY OF THE SEER OF PATMO 









“God with us.” In the human { 
was veiled by the same cloud which 
the face of Eden; but in the New 
the people meet God face to face, with 
ing veil between. From the most exa 
tion in the kingdom of God to utter destru 

this is the story which sin has written: from 
death to life immortal; from degredation to the _ 
capital of the universe; this is the story of re- 
demption. 

What wonder that those who have passed 
through these experiences sing, “Great and 
marvelous are Thy works, Lord God Almighty ; 
just and true are Thy ways, Thou King of na- 
tions.” Alleluia: for the Lord God omnipo- 
tent reigneth!” There is no longer cause for 
sorrow and weeping ; for the former things have 
passed away. Tears came when sin entered the 
dominion of God. There were no tears before 
that ; and when the traces of sin are gone, tears 
will have forever passed away. “Let us be glad 
and rejoice, and give honor to Him.” 

Words cannot express the fullness and beauty 
of the law of compensation which is revealed in 
the entire history of salvation. This will be 
partially understood by those who gather in the 
city, and behold all things made new; those 
who see Christ as the Alpha,—Him who first 
created ; the Genesis, in which was hidden the 
fullness of God’s love ; and the Omega, the final 
completion, which rising above the fall, and hav- 
ing banished every trace of sin, sits as King of 
kings, surrounded by subjects who are better 
able to appreciate the spiritual nature of Jeho- 
vah and His kingdom than they could have 
been, had sin never entered. This is infinite 


- 


THE GLORIES OF THE NEW JERUSALEM. 


love, the character of our God. and His Christ. 
And above all, as the most supreme manifestation 
of that love, is the promise that he that over- 
cometh through Christ, shall inherit all these 
things. The new earth is not awarded like 
charity gifts, parceled out to the poor of earth; 
‘it is not bought, but men are born into the fam- 
ily of God, and as joint heirs with Jesus Christ, 
they receive the new earth as an inheritance. 
Christ spoke to Nicodemus of the new, the 
spiritual birth, which brings the inheritance. 
The soul hungering and thirsting in this life 
opens the springs of heaven, and Christ Himself 
gives unto those who are athirst of the water of 
life freely. . 

Every well of water has been a token of 
this promise which will be fulfilled in the new 
earth. The living fountains there will contain 
the water of life which will give eternal life and 
unbounded wisdom. Rivulets flowing from that 
eternal fountain bring life to the earth to-day, and 
those who drink now, have a pledge that they 
shall drink in the kingdom of God. This is the 
wine of the living grape, typified by the cup 
given at the Passover table on that last night of 
the Saviour’s life, when He said: “I will drink 
no more of the fruit of the vine, until that day 
that I drink it new in the kingdom of God.” 
This new wine will be given to the guests at the 
marriage supper of the Lamb. 

“Let not your heart be troubled,” said the 
Saviour, and John was one of the number to 
whom He spoke: “In My Father's house are 
many mansions: if it were not so, I would have 
told you. I go to prepare a place for you. 
And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will 


343 


If children, then heirs ; heirs of 
God, and joint-heirs with Christ ; if 
so be that we suffer with him, that 
we may be also glorified together. 

Rom. 8:17. 


John 3:5. 


Blessed are they which do hunger 
and thirst after righteousness: for 
they shall be filled. Matt. 5:6. 


Behold, God is my salvation ; I 
will trust, and not be afraid: for 
the Lord JEHOVAH is my strength 
and my song ; he also is become my 
salvation. 

Therefore with joy shall ye draw 
water out of the wells of salvation. 

Isa. 12 32, 3. 


Num. 21:17, 18. 


She is a tree of life to them that 
lay hold upon her: and happy is 
every one that retaineth her. 

Prov. 3 : 18. 


If thou knewest the gift of God, 
and who it is that saith to thee, Give 
me to drink; thou wouldest have 
asked of him, and he would have 
given thee living water. 

John 4:10. 


I am the true vine, and my Father 
is the husbandman. 

Every branch in me that, beareth 
not fruit he taketh away : and cvery 
branch that beareth fruit, he purg- 
eth it, that it may bring forth more 
fruit. John 15:1, 2. 


Matt. 26:29. 
John 13:1-3. 


Father, I will that they also, 
whom thou hast given me, be with 
me where I am; that they may be- 
hold my glory, which thou hast 
given me: for thou lovedst me be- 
fore the foundation of the world. 

John 17:24. 


344 STORY 


And there came unto me one of 
the seven angels which had the 
seven vials full of the seven last 
plagues, and talked with me, say- 
ing, Come hither, | will shew thee 
the bride, the Lamb’s wife. 

And he carried me away in the 
spirit to a great and high moun- 
tain, and shewed me that great 
city, the holy Jerusalem, descend- 
ing out of heaven from God, 

Having the glory of God: and 
her light was like unto a stone 
most precious, even like a jasper 
stone, clear as crystal ; 

And had a wall great and high, 
and had twelve gates, and at the 
gates twelve angels, and names 
written thereon, which are the 
names of the twelve tribes of the 
children of Israel: 

On the east three gates; onthe 
north three gates; on the south 
three gates; and on the west three 
gates. 

And the wall of the city had 
twelve foundations, and in them 
the names of the twelve apostles 
of the Lamb. 

And he that talked with me had 
a golden reed to measure the city, 
and the gates thereof, and the 
wall thereof. 

And the city lieth foursquare, 
and the length is as large as the 
breadth: and he measured the 
city with the reed, twelve thousand 
furlongs. The length and the 
breadth and the height of it are 
equal, Rev, 21: 9-16. 


Surely there is a vein for the sil- 
ver, and a place for gold where they 
fine it. 

Iron is taken out of the earth, and 
brass is molten out of the stone. 

Job 28:1, 2. 


Thou shalt make the breastplate 
of judgment with cunning work; 
after the work of the ephod thou 
shalt make it ; of gold, of blue, and 
of purple, and of scarlet, and of 
fine twined linen, shalt thou make it. 

Foursquare it shall be being 
doubled ; a span shall be the length 
thereof, and a span shall be the 
breadth thereof, 







come again, and receive you unto My 
where I am, there ye may be also.” 

After a life on earth with the Saviour, an 
after being shown the sorrows through wl 
man must pass before the end, John was pre-— 
pared to appreciate the city which Christ had , 
gone to prepare. One of the seven angels who — 
carries the vials of God’s wrath, revealed to the 
prophet the beauties of the New Jerusalem. 

The city lieth four square, perfect in its 
dimensions, measuring three hundred and seven- 
ty-five miles each way, with a wall of precious 
stones. This wall measures in height, one hun- 
dred and forty-four cubits, or between two hun- 
dred and sixteen and two hundred sixty-six 
feet. The city in all its details represents sal- 
vation; also the people within its jasper walls, 
represent the salvation of God. At creation the 
gold, the silver, and the precious stones, lay on 
the face of the earth. Men used them for self- 
ish purposes ; and for this reason at the time of 
the flood, they were Luried beneath the surface, 
and are brought to light only as the result of 
hard labor. In the New Jerusalem, they will be 
so arranged as to tell the story of infinite wisdom 
and love. 

Some have given the following imaginative in- 
terpretation to the various colors of the stones: 
“At the base is the crimson jasper, typical of 
the suffering and death of the Saviour slain from 
the foundation of the world. Above this, is laid 
the sapphire, like a blue flame of truth. In the 
pure white chalcedony is reflected the purity of 
the Christ life. The emerald green, like the 
rainbow about the throne, offers hope to those 
who rest upon the others. The sardonyx re- 


THE GLORIES OF THE NEW JERUSALEM. 


flects many colors, but above it, is the deep red 
sardius, covered by the chrysolite. This is 
overlaid by the beautiful blue beryl, whose light 
mingles with the blazing topaz in telling the 
story of joy and peace in the Lord. The elev- 
enth is the purple of royalty, crowned with the 
purity of the amethyst.” The foundation, com- 
posed entirely of precious stones, is beautiful 
beyond description; but besides this, it 1s orna- 
mented, or garnished, with a// manner of pre- 
cious stones. 

Stones have voices, although they speak 
in tones seldom heard by men. Christ told 
His disciples that if men held their peace, the 
very stones would cry out. The story which 
they tell is the old, old story; and as they form 
the walls of the New Jerusalem, and the glory 
of Christ and the Father shines on them, they 
will not meet the eye with a dull, lusterless 
surface, but with a glory known only in the 
purity of a spiritual world. Inanimate nature 
partook of the curse of sin; but the foundation 
of the city of our God, like all things in the 
earth made new, will shine in its original 
splendor. On these twelve foundations are writ- 
ten the names of the twelve apostles, the pillars 
of the Christian church. The prophet on Pat- 
mos had been condemned, his name recorded on 
the books of Rome as a criminal and an exile; 
what joy, then, must have come to him, when 
he saw in heaven his name engraved on one of 
the foundations of the city. Here is the differ- 
ence between human and divine judgment. 

The streets of the city are of pure gold—so 
pure that they are transparent like crystal. 
The light from the countenance of Christ falls 


345 


And thou shalt set in it settings 
of stones, even four rows of stones: 
the first row shall be a sardius, a 
topaz, and a carbuncle: this shall 
be the first row. 

And the second row shall be an 
emerald, a sapphire, and a diamond, 

And the third row a ligure, an 
agate, and an amethyst. 

And the fourth row a beryl, and 
an onyx, and a jasper: they shall 
be set in gold in their inclosings. 

And the stones shall be with the 
names of the children of Israel, 
twelve, according to their names, 
like the engravings of a signet; 
every one with his name shall they 
be according to the twelve tribes. 

Ex, 28: 15-21. 


And he measured the wall 
thereof, an hundred and forty and 
four cubits, according to the 
measure of a man, that is, of the 
angel, 

And the building of the wall of 
it was of jasper: and the city was 
pure gold, like unto clear glass. 

And the foundations of the wall 
of the city were garnished withall 
manner of precious stones. The 
first foundation was jasper: the 
second, sapphire; the third, a 
chalcedony ; the fourth, an emer- 
ald; 

The fifth, sardonyx; the sixth, 
sardius; the seventh, chrysolyte ; 
the eighth, beryl: the ninth, a 
topaz; the tenth, a chrysoprasus ; 
the eleventh, a jacinth; the 
twelfth, an amethyst. 

Rev. 21:17-20, 


Gen. 31 245-52. 
Gen. 28 : 18-22. 
Rom. 8 :22. 


And are built upon the founda- 
tion of the apostles and prophets, 
Jesus Christ himself being the chief 
corner stone. Eph. 2:20. 


Gal 2:9. 


Notwithstanding in this rejoice 
not, that the spirits are subject unto 
you; but rather rejoice, because 
your names are written in heaven, 

Luke 10:20, 


346 


O thou afflicted, tossed with tem- 
pest, and not comforted, behold, I 
will lay thy stones with fair col- 
ours, and lay thy foundations with 
sapphires, 


And I will make thy windows of 
agates, and thy gates of carbuncles, 
and all thy borders of pleasant 
stones. 


And all thy children shall be 
taught of the Lord ; and great shall 
be the peace of thy children, 


Isa. 54: 11, 13. 





Pearl oyster. 


And the twelve gates were twelve 
pearls; every several gate was of 
one pearl: and the street of the 
city was pure gold, as it were 
transparent glass. Rev. 21.21. 


Thou wilt say then, The branches 
were broken off, that I might be 
graffed.in. 

Well; because of unbelief they 
were broken off, and thou standest 
by faith. Be not highminded, but 
fear: 

For if God spared not the natural 
branches, take heed lest he also 


spare not thee. Rom. 11 : 19-21. 


I heard the number of them which 
were sealed : and there were sealed 
an hundred and forty and four thou- 
sand of all the tribes of the children 
of Israel. Rev. 7:4. 


Blessed are the pure in heart: for 
they shall see God. 
Matt. 5:8. 
They shall see his face ; and his 
name shall be in their foreheads. 
Rev. 22:4. 






and then is reflected again and again « 
polished streets. Men have lavished w 
buildings, but no earthly edifice ever equaled © 
the beauties of this capital city. In this wall 
are twelve gates; in number the same as the — 
twelve tribes of the children of Israel,_the 
twelve patriarchs, whose names appear graven 
in living characters upon them. Each gate is 
a single pearl. The pearl, as we know it, 
is formed by the life fluid of the oyster 
covering a foreign substance. The pearls 7 
of heaven represent the abundant right- 
eousness of Christ called forth by sin; but 
which, flowing full and free, covers every 
blemish in the character to which it is 
applied. 

As the redeemed enter the city, they are 

arranged according to the tribes of ancient 
Israel, character forming the basis of division. 
The twelve taken together reflect the fullness of 
Christ. The character portrayed in the bless- 
ings pronounced upon the sons of Jacob, reveals 
the many sides of the life of the Son of God, 
as manifested in redemption. 

In the city, the saints meet Jehovah face to 
face. Even God veiled His glory during the 
reign of sin; and not until the work of Christ is 
entirely finished, and He leaves the temple in 
heaven preparatory to coming to earth, does the 
undimmed glory of the Father burst forth. 

This was typified in the sanctuary service, by 
the veil which protected the Shekinah from the 
gaze of the people, and by the cloud of incense, 
which went up before the priest when he min- 
istered in the inner apartment on the day of 


THE GLORIES OF THE NEW JERUSALEM. 


atonement. Had it been otherwise, the con- 
suming glory would have slain all. In the New 
Jerusalem, there is no veil, no temple; but God 
and Christ are the light of it. The veiling of 
Jehovah’s glory is likewise typified by the sun 
and moon in our own heavens. The light of 
these bodies seems intense to mortal eyes; but 
in the new earth, the sun will shine with a light 
seven times brighter than to-day and the moon 
will be as our sun. Even then, their light is hid- 
den by the glory of celestial rays. Day and night, 
that light of life shines forth Ee me : 





throughout eternity. This light 
causes spiritual life, just as 
our sunshine makes the earth 
to bring forth and bud. 

The glory is not wholly con- 
fined to the city; for the earth 
itself is Eden restored. The 
redeemed have houses outside 
the city. The earth brings 
forth in abundance, and labor 
is a pleasure. Asit wasGod’s im 
plan to people the earth, and tos: 
have all nations ae 
come to the Garden | 
of Eden, so in the | 
new earth the na- 
tions, or tribes, 
under their kings, 
bring their glory 
and honor into Jerusalem, coming there to meet 
with God. 

Christ was manifested that He might destroy 
the works of the devil. God placed man in a 
perfect earth, and bade him susdue it; in other 





347 


And | saw no temple therein: for 
the Lord God Almighty and the 
Lamb are the temple of it. 

And the city had no need of the 
sun, neither of the moon, to shine 
in it: for the glory of God did 
lighten it, and the Lamb is the 
light thereof. 

And the nations of them which 
are saved shall walk in the light 
of it: and the kings of the earth 
do bring their glory and honour 
into it. 

And the gates of it shall not be 
shut at all by day: for there shall 
be no night there. 

Rev. 21:22, 25. 














Day and night, that light of life shines forth throughout eternity. 


And they shail bring the glory 
and honour of the nations into it. 

And there shall in no wise enter 
into it any thing that defileth, nei- 
ther whatsoever worketh abumina- 
tion, or maketh a lie: but they 
which are written in the Lamb6’s 
600k of life; Rev. 21:26, 27, 


348 


For this purpose the Son of God 
was manifested, that he might de- 
stroy the works of the devil. 

1 John3:8. 


Be ye glad and rejoice for ever in 
that which I create ; for, behold, I 
create Jerusalem a rejoicing, and 
her people a joy. 

And I will rejoice in Jerusalem, 
and joy in my people : and the voice 
of weeping shall be no more heard 
in her, nor the voice of crying. 

Isa. 65 : 18, 19. 


Now unto him that is able to do 
exceeding abundantly above all that 
we ask or think, according to the 
power that worketh in us, 

Unto him be glory in the church 
by Christ Jesus throughout all 
ages, world without end. Amen. 

Eph. 3 :20, 21. 


Father, I will that they also, 
whom thou hast given me, be with 
me where I am; that they may be- 
hold my glory, which thou hast 
given me: for thou lovedst me be- 
fore the foundation of the world. 


John 17 :24. 


All the treasures of the universe 
will be open to the study of God’s 
redeemed. Unfettered by mortality, 
they wing their tireless flight to 
worlds afar,—worlds that thrilled 
with sorrow at the spectacle of hu- 
man woe, and rang with songs of 
gladness at the tidings of a ran- 
somed soul. With unutterable de- 
light the children of earth enter 
into the joy and the wisdom of un- 
fallen beings. They share the 
treasures of knowledge and under- 
standing gained through ages upon 
ages in contemplation of God’s 
handiwork. With undimmed vis- 
ion they gaze upon the glory of cre- 
ation,—suns and stars and systems 
all in cheir appointed order circling 
the throne of Deity. Upon all 
things, from the least to the great- 
est, the Creator’s name is written, 
and in all are the riches of His 
power displayed.— The Great Con- 
troversy Between Christ and Satan. 







words, to make the whole earth lik 
Satan thwarted the plan, and for 


the devil will be destroyed. The work tl 
man would have done, if sin had not entered, 
Christ will do. Instead of their home being 
simply a garden, there will be the beautiful city 
enclosing the garden. 

The human mind can but faintly grasp the 
idea of spiritual existence; and the best that 
mortal man can do, is to compare the glory of 
eternity with those things which are divinely 
appointed to foreshadow the things of the eter- 
nal world. 

The ear of man catches but ‘ie smallest 
proportion of the sounds which are everywhere 
about him; his eye sees but little that light in 
reality reveals ; so narrow is the sphere in which 
we live. God has spoken of the other world, 
and He has described it in human language. 
There are things which eye hath not seen, nor 
ear heard, but God hath revealed them by His 
Spirit ; so of the glories beyond, one can truth- 
fully say, The half hath not been told. 

Through eternity those whose names are writ- 
ten in the Lamb’s Book of Life will receive new 
revelations of Jesus Christ ; and they themselves 
will reflect more and more of the divine char- 
acter. Then it will be known what life really is. 
As the Saviour leads to fountains of wisdom, 
men will know that He is “the way, the truth, 


- and the life.” 





Char ibR.oOxiTl. 


THE NEW EARTH. 


Tue book of Revelation is a great signal, 
pointing to the New Jerusalem and the earth 
made new. Growth in character is all that 
hastens one along the road that leads thither. 
Human history has been like the ebb and flow 
of the tide. The waves break, break, break, on 
the sands; but only an occasional one reaches 
beyond the level of its fellows. David had a 


good opportunity to watch the fluctuations in- 


human progress, and the backward steps; the 
stumblings led to the writing of many psalms. 
Thus came the prayer “Create in me a clean 
heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within 
me.” The Revelation of Jesus Christ is a 
double history; it shows the love of Jesus 
Christ which has met man, and the church, 
as it has pursued its zigzag course; and it 


portrays a character, that by the grace of 


Set thee up waymarks, make thee 
high heaps: set thine heart toward 
the highway, even the way which 
thou wentest: turn again, O virgin 
of Israel, turn again to these thy 
cities. Jer. 31:21. 


Grow in grace, and in the knowl- 
edge of our Lord and Saviour Je- 
sus Christ. To him be glory both 
now and forever. Amen, 

2 Pet, 3:18 


Eccl. 1: 5-8. 


I would hasten my escape from 
the windy storm and tempest. 
Psa. 55:8. 


Hosea 4:9. 
Hosea 11:7. 
Hosea 4:16. 
NER als ae 
Psa. 51:10. 


349 


350 STORY OF THE SEER OF PATI 


Rev. 1219 
Psa. 5:8. 
Heb. 12:13. 
Isa. 35 78, 9. 


He that receiveth you receiveth 
me: and he that receiveth me re- 
ceiveth him that sent me. 

Matt. 10 : 40, 


Rey. 8:13. 
Rev. 11:15. 


I will make them one nation in 
the land upon the mountains of Is- 
racl ; and one king shall be king to 
them all, Eze. 37:22. 


Or else how can one enter into 
a strong man’s house, and spoil his 
goods, except he first bind the 
strong man? and then he will spoil 
his house. Matt. 12:29. 


Rev. 14:9, 10. 


' Hearken to me, ye that follow 
aftcr righteousness, ye that seek the 
Lord: look unto the rock whence 
ye are hewn, and to the hole of the 
pit whence ye are digged. 

Tsay Sree 


Rev. 5:9, 10. 
2 Pet. 337, 138 
John r4it, 2. 
Rev. 20:9, 10, 


seventh leaves heaven in silence while a 
gather the redeemed from the earth. 
seven trumpets are blown in the hearing of all 
nations; all the world records the story of the 
Son of man, and the seventh gives the king- 
doms into the hands of Him who reigns as King 
of kings on the earth, with Jerusalem for His 
capital. 

The birth of Christ, the crucifixion, and the 
work in heaven since the ascension,—all point 
to the kingdom restored. The history of the 
beast, and of the image to the beast, both re- 
cord the persecution of a people who will be 
loyal subjects of the King of earth. If the 
one hundred and forty-four thousand are stud- 
ied, they are found to be the Remnant, snatched 
from the very pit of destruction, to reign in 
the earth as kings and priests, throughout 
eternity. The plagues are but the sign of the 
self-destruction of all forces opposed to the law 
of God; and they pave the way for the cleans- 
ing of the earth by fire, preparatory to the 
restoration of the paradise of God. 

Christ prepares the capital city in heaven; 
while on earth He molds the character of His 
subjects. 
earth. The many paths traced in the book 
of Revelation, lead unto the thoroughfare which 
ends at the gates of that city. The last chapter 






City and people meet on the new - 


THE NEW EARTH. 


of the book,—a fitting close for such history as 
is revealed in the other chapters, gives a de- 
scription of the earth rescued from all sin,— 
the Eden restored. 

The first Eden remained on earth one-fourth 
of the period of earth’s history. With its closed 
gate, and an angel guard at the tree of life, it 
was a wonderful lesson to the inhabitants of the 
world before the flood. Before the destruction of 
the earth by water, the garden was transported to 
heaven, and the promise since has been, ‘To 
him that overcometh will I give to eat of the 
tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise 
of God.” 

In Eden the tree of life grows on the banks 
of the river of life. As long as Adam and Eve 
ate of the fruit of that tree, life was eternal. 
The waters were life-giving. This virtue has 
been lost by the rivers of earth, through 
the curse of sin, yet every flowing river is a 
reminder to man, of the river of life which pro- 
ceeds from the throne of God. The source of 
this river is God,—the fountain, or head waters 
of all truth; and flowing from Him, who is in- 
finite and eternal, it signifies the spread of truth 
through the earth. In Eden that water typified 
Christ ; and there, they communed with Him as 
freely as they drank of the clear flowing waters. 
Rivulets from the throne have always :watered 
the earth, but there never have been channels 
sufficiently strong for an over abundant flow. 
On the new earth, that river will be restored. 
Christ Himself will lead His people to the 
fountain of living waters. “Thou shalt make 
them drink of the river of Thy pleasures. For 
with Thee is the fountain of life.’ “Ho, every 


351 


For the Lord shall comfort Zion: 
he will comfort all her waste places ; 
and he will make her wilderness 
like Eden, and her desert like the 
garden of the Lord; joy and glad- 
ness shall be found therein, thanks- 
giving, and the voice of melody. 

Isa. 51 33. 


Rev. 21 : 1-27. 


Gen. 3:24 [margin.] Adam was 
driven from the garden of Eden 4004 
B.C. 


Gen. 7:11 [margin.] The flood 


was in 2349 B.C. 

Sixteen hundred and _ fifty-five 
years intervened between the two 
events. 


2 Cor. 12:4. 
Rev. 2:7. 


By the river upon the bank 
thereof, on this side and on that 
side, shall grow all trees for meat, 
whose leaf shall not fade, neither 
shall the fruit thereof be consumed : 
it shall bring forth new fruit accord- 
ing to his months, because their 
waters they issued out of the sanc- 
tuary: and the fruit thereof shall 
be for meat, and the leaf thereof 


for medicine. Eze. 47212. 


Gen. 2 :8, 9. 
Dan. 12:5, 6. 
Dan. 8:2. 
John 1:4, 9. 


The Spirit and the bride say, 
Come. And let him that heareth 
say, Come. And let him that is 
athirst come. And whosoever will, 
let him take the water of life freely. 

Rev. 22:17. 


Gen. 3:8. 
Eze. 47:2. 


He leadeth me beside the waters 
of quietness, 
Psa. 23 :2 [margin.] 


352 STORY 


Psa. 36:8. 
Isa. 55:21. 


For I will pour water upon him 
that is thirsty, and floods upen the 
dry ground: I will pou: my Spirit 
upon thy seed, and my blessing 
upon thine offspring. Isa. 44:3. 


John 4:10, 14. 


The gospel of John was written 
one year after the Revelation. 


Now when I had returned, be- 
hold, at the bank of the river were 
very many trees on the one side 
and on the other. 

Then said he unto me, These 
waters issue out toward the east 
country, and go down into the des- 
ert, and go into the sea: which 
being brought forth into the sea, 
the waters shall be healed. 

Eze. 47:7, 8. 


And he shewed me a pure river 
of water of life, clear as crystal, 
proceeding out of the throne of 
God and of the Lamb, 

In the midst of the street of it, 
and on either side of the river, 
was there the tree of life, which 
bare twelve manner of fruits, and 
yielded her fruit every month: 
and the leaves of the tree were for 
the healing of the nations. 

Rev. 22:1, 2. 


Rey. 22:2. 


Unto you that fear my name shall 
the Sun of righteousness arise with 
healing in his wings ; and ye shall 
go forth, and grow up as calves of 
the stall. Mal. 4:2. 








OF THE SEER OF PATMOS., 


one that thirsteth.” “The Spi 
bride say, Come ... Se 
athirst come.” Jesus said: “ Whos 


God, and = it is that saith to heat Give Me to. 
drink; thou wouldest have asked of Him, and 
He would have given thee living water.” — “ 

John was fond of the figure, and seemed to 
catch the words uttered by his Master, as none - 
of the other disciples caught them. Perhaps 
this was caused by the fact that before writing 
the gospel, he had seen such a clear portrayal 
of the new earth that certain sayings of Christ 
came vividly to his mind. 

Every river is a type of the river of life; and 
every tree that grows will remind the one who 
listens for the voice of God, of that tree of life, 
which grows on either bank of the river. The 
real tree of Eden was transported to heaven; 
but its boughs are represented as hanging earth- 
ward, and its fruit, in type at least, has been 
plucked by those who had soul hunger and who 
reach upward for it. It will blossom in reality 
in the new earth, bearing its fruit every month, 
twelve manner of fruit which will supply every 
want of the spiritual being. There will be no 
lack. ‘The leaves of the tree were for the heal- 
ing of the nations,’ and ‘the leaf thereof for 
medicine.” All the war and strife of nations 
have come because man ate not of the fruit of 
the tree of life. The whole controversy of six 
thousand years originated when man ate of the 
fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and 
evil. That tree will not be found in the earth’ 
made new, and the fires of the last days will con- 





: it. ” The scars and bruises” [Ez. 47:12, 
_ mar.] caused by eating its fruit will be healed by 
the leaves of the tree of life. 

Christ is the tree of life, the bread of life and 
the water of life : man will live in Him; and yet 
in the new earth as in this world, nature will, in 
all its features, symbolize what Christ really is 
toman. As the redeemed partake of the fruit 
of the tree of life, to their souls, will come re- 
demption’s story. By individuals, and through 
nations, God has attempted to demonstrate the 
possibility of living under the shadow of the tree 
of the knowledge of good and evil, and yet eat- 
ing of the fruit from the tree of life. This is 
the life of faith, and those who gather about the 
real tree in the new earth, will be those who 
have partaken of that fruit when the other was 
near, and was held out as a tempting morsel. 

In Israel, as a nation, God wished to illustrate 
the truths of heaven; and had they followed 
where He led, He would, through them, have 
shown to all other nations that the tree of life 
could blossom on earth, and that a nation could 
be healed by its leaves. Israel, not willing 
to eat only of the food of God, mingled the 
good with the evil, and became like all other 
nations. In the earth restored, all nationalities, 
all tribes, and peoples will, for the first time, 
gather together and with one common language 
worship our God. The fruit and the leaves of 
the tree of life bring all together. Christ came 
“to seek and to save that which was lost.” In 
the river of life and the tree of life, together 
with the blessing each insures, much is restored 
that was lost by the entrance of sin. 


23 


353 


By the river upon the bank 
thereof, on this side and cn that 
side, shall grow all trees for meat, 
whose leaf shall not fade, neither 
shall the fruit thereof be consumed: 
it shall bring forth new fruit accord- 
ing to his months, because their 
waters they issued out of the sanc- 
tuary : and the fruit thereof shall be 
for meat, and the leaf thereof for 
bruises and sores. 

Eze. 47 : 12 [margin.] 


Prov. 3:18. 


The fruit of the righteous is a 
tree of life; and he that winneth 


souls is wise. Prov. 11:30. 


I am the living bread which came 
down from heaven. John6:5r. 


John 7 :37, 38. 
John 6:35, 47. 


Jesus said unto her, I am the 
resurrection, and the life: he that 
believeth in me, though he were 
dead, yet shall he live: 

And whosoever liveth and be- 
lieveth in me shall never die. Be- 
lievest thou this? 

John 11:25, 26. 


It shall come to pass, that who- 
soever shall call on the name of the 
Lord shall be delivered. 

Joel 2: 32. 


Why gaddest thou about so much 
to change thy way? thou also shalt 
be ashamed of Egypt, as thou wast 
ashamed of Assyria. Jer. 2:36. 


For then will I turn to the peo- 
ple a pure language, that they may 
all call upon the name of the Lord, 
to serve him with one consent. 

Zeph. 3 :9. 

Luke 19:10, 


© 


354 STORY 


And there shall be no more curse: 
but the throne of God and of the 
Lemb shall be in it; and his serv- 
ants shall serve him. 

Rev, 22:3, 


Isa. 65:17, 18. 


God setteth vhe solitary in fami- 
lies: he bringeth out those which 
are bound with chains. 

Psa. 68 :6. 


For the husband is the head of 
the wife, even as Christ is the head 
of the church: and he is the Saviour 
of the body. Eph. 5:23. 


If ye then, being evil, know how 
to give good gifts unto your chil- 
dren, how much more shall your 
Father which is in heaven give good 
things to them that ask him? 

Matt. 7:11. 


Isa. 49 2 15-17. 
John 3 : 16. 
x John 4:19. 


He tbat loveth not knoweth not 
God ; for God is love. 
1 John 4:8. 


I will spare them, as a man spar- 
eth his own son that serveth him. 
Mal. 3:17. 


Psa. 65 #2. 


When his kinsmen heard of it, 
they went out to lay hold on him: 
for they said, He is beside himself. 


Mark 3 : 21 [margin.] 








OF THE SEER OF PATMOS. 


The angel said to John, “There 
more curse.’ ‘ Former [things] I 
remembered, nor come upon the hea: 
ye glad and rejoice for ever in cha Thich 
ate: for, behold, I create Jerusalem a 1 3 
and her people a joy.” The presence of joyim- 
plies the restoration of families; and in this, is a 
one of the most beautiful promises of thenew 
earth. Sin has marred family relations: the 
curse has entered all families, if not in one form, 
it has come in another. The family has been the 
closest tie between heaven and earth. In the 
midst of sin and deep degradation, the unselfish 
devotion of mothers for their offspring, has 
spoken of the love of Christ in a language which 
has reached all hearts, from that of God on the 
throne to the infidel who scorns the name of 
God. The truth that “We love Him, because 
He first loved us,” still remains; and when a 
touch of love has been born in the mire of sin, 
it is the reflection of Heaven’s love. In the 
new earth such love will meet its reward; for 
He “setteth the solitary in families: He bring- 
eth out those which are bound with chains.” 

“Oh, Thou that hearest prayer, unto Thee 
shall all flesh come.” To-day many families are 
divided. Some members wish to eat of the 
spiritual bread, and others prefer the food which 
nourishes the nations of the earth. This makes 
a line of separation ; for those who are spiritual 
stand on one plain, and the physical man stands 
on another. “He that soweth to his flesh 
shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that 
soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life 
everlasting.”” When the separation comes, as it 
will at the end of time, God sets the spiritual 


on 





would have been members had sin never existed. 
Love of parents for their children is a type of 
the Father’s love for humanity; and to com- 
fort the hearts of mothers, there is the promise 


that little children ppp ee 






lost on earth, will be 
restored to their par- 
ents in the new earth. 
The promise was 
made to Israel : it will 
be fulfilled to those 
who are Israelites 
indeed. The sorrow 
of a mother over her 
dying child is felt in 
heaven. ‘“A_ voice 
was heard in Ramah, 
lamentation, and bit- 
_ ter weeping ; Rachael 
weeping for her chil- 
dren refused to be 
comforted for her 
children, because they 
were not.” “Thus 
saith the Lord; Re- 
frain thy voice from 


weeping. ; and thine “ Oh, Thou that hearest prayer, unto Thee shall all flesh come.”' 


eyes from tears: for 

thy work shall be rewarded, saith the Lord, 
and they shall come again from the land of the 
enemy.” This prophecy of the weeping mothers 
was fulfilled in the mothers of Bethlehem, weep- 
ing for their children in the days of Herod, 
and was a type of every mother in Israel called 
to mourn the death of her infant. In it is also 
a pledge of the resurrection of children. 


355 


For the flesh lusteth against the 
Spirit, and the Spirit against the 
flesh: and these are contrary the 
one to the other: so that ye cannot 
do the things that ye would. 

Gal. 5:17. 


Gal. 6:7, 8. 


Thus saith the Lord; Refrain | 
thy voice from weeping, and thine 
eyes from tears : for thy work shall 
be rewarded, saith the Lord; and 
they shall come again from the land 
of the enemy. 

And there is hope in thine end, 
saith the Lord, that thy children 
shall come again to their own bor- 
der. Jer. 31215, 17. 


Mal. 4:2. 


356 STORY 


For, behold, I create new heav- 
ens and a new earth : and the former 
shall not be remembered, nor come 
into mind. 

But be ye glad and rejoice for 
ever in that which I create: for, 
behold, I create Jerusalem a re- 
joicing, and her people a joy. 

And I will rejoice in Jerusalem, 
and joy in my people : and the voice 
of weeping shall be no more heard 
in her, nor the voice of crying. 

There shall be no more thence an 
infant of days, nor an old man that 
hath not filled his days: for the 
child shall die an hundred years 
old; but the sinner being an hun- 
dred years old shall be accursed. 

Isa. 65 217-20. 


Psa. 8:4, 5. 
Psa. 80:7. 


And they shall see his face; and 
his name shall be in their fore- 
heads. 

And there shall be no night 
there; and they need no candle, 
neither light of the sun; for the 
Lord God giveth them light: and 
they shall reign for ever and ever. 

And he said unto me, These say- 
ings are faithful and true: and 
the Lord God of the holy prophets 
sent his angel to shew unto his 
servants the things-which must 
Shortly be done. Rev. 22: 4-6. 


Thou hast put all things in sub- 
jection under his feet. For in that 
he put all in subjection under him, 
he left nothing that is not put under 
him. But now we see not yet all 
things put under him, 

Heb. 2:8, 






healing in His wings, these “sha 
calves of the stalE" There shall 





the curse is removed, and there shall be cheung? } 
death. The child shall grow as a “calf of the 
stall,” and no man in that land of life will ever 4 4 
die. Before the earth is renewed, the child of 
a hundred years shall die, and the sinner will 
be accursed. Over there, they have access to 
the tree of life, and they drink of the water of 
life, and live throughout eternity. In place of 
the curse of death, there will be the throne of 
God and the Lamb. God’s throne is a living 
throne. 

For the first time since creation, God can be 
seen face to face. Man was created inferior 
to the angels for a little time. While on earth 


‘we pray, “Cause Thy face to shine; and we 


shall be saved.” Then the full light of His 
countenance will be open to the gaze of man, 
“and His name shall be in their foreheads.” 
Genesis is the first unfolding, in human 
language, of the plan of salvation. Each follow- 
ing book of the Bible is a further explanation 
of the truths stated in Genesis. Revelation is 
the Omega,—the gathering together of all the 
threads of truth,—a meeting of all the ways. 
The twenty-second chapter is a summary of the 
book of Revelation. As if John found it difficult 
to comprehend the scenes he beheld, Gabriel 
repeats, ‘These sayings are true and faithful.” 
To all appearances, the earth was not ready for 
paradise when it was spread out in panoramic 
view before John: likewise, as the human eye 





THE NEW EARTH. 


measures circumstances, the world seems further _ Rev.22:6, 7. 


from that time to-day; but ‘The Lord God of 


The Revelation of Jesus Christ, 


the holy prophets sent His angel to show unto which God gave unto him, to shew 


His servants the things which must shortly 


unto his servants things which must 
shortly come to pass ; and he sent 


be done. Behold, I come quickly.” And John and signified it by his angel unto 
his servant John > 


seeing and hearing these things, again fell at the who bare record of the word of 








** The Lord God of the holy prophets sent His angel to show unto His servants 
the things which must shortly be done,”’ 


God, and of the tes- 
timony of Jesus 
Christ, and of all 
things that he saw. 
Rev. r:1, 2. 


When I speak 
with thee, I will 
open thy mouth, 
and thou shalt say 
unto them, Thus 
saith the Lord 
God ; He that hear- 
eth, let him hear; 
and he that forbear- 
eth, let him for- 
bear: for they are 
a rebellious house. 

Eze. 3 :27. 


Thou shalt speak 
my words unto 
them, whether they 
will hear, or 
whether they will 
forbear: for they 
are most rebel- 
lious. Eze. 2:7. 


Thou therefore 
gird up thy loins, 
and arise, and 
speak unto them 
all that I command 
thee: be not dis- 


- mayed at their 


faces, lest I con- 
found thee before 
them. 

Jer z=xze 


358 STORY 


Bless the Lord, ye his angels, 
that excel in strength, that do his 
commandments, hearkening unto 
the voice of his word. 

Psa. 103 :20. 


Dan. 12:4. 


Stay yourselves, and wonder; 
cry ye out, and cry: they are 
drunken, but not with wine ; they 
stagger, but not with strong drink. 

For the Lord hath poured out 
upon you the spirit of deep sleep, 
and hath closed your eyes: the 
prophets and your rulers, the seers 
hath he covered. 

And the vision of all is become 
unto you as the words of a book 
that is sealed, which men deliver 
to one that is learned, saying, Read 
this, I pray thee: and he saith, I 
cannot ; for it is sealed : 

And the book is delivered to him 
that is not learned, saying, Read 
this, I pray thee: and he saith, I 
am not learned. _Isa. 29: 9-12. 


For the time is come that judg- 
ment must begin at the house of 
God: and if it first begin at us, 
what shall the end be of them that 
obey not the gospel of God? 

1 Pet. 4:17. 


Rev. 22:11. 


Behold, | come quickly: blessed 
is he that keepeth the sayings of 
the prophecy of this book, 

And | John saw these things, and 
heard them. And when | had 
heard and seen, / fell down to wor- 
ship before the feet of the angel 
which shewed me these things. 

Then saith he unto me, See thou 
do it not: for I am thy fellow- 
servant, and of thy brethren the 
prophets, and of them which keep 
the sayings of this book: worship 
God. : 

And he- saith unto me, Seal not 
the sayings of the prophecy of 
this 600k : for the timeis at hand. 

Rev. 22; 7-10. 








feet of Gabriel to worship him; 
angel said, “See thou do it not.” G 
fesses himself a fellow servant of John, an 
who keep the prophecies of this book. Angels, 
as well as men, obey the word of God revealedto 
the prophets, for the prophecies arean unfolding —__ 
of the law of God. 

Reference has been made more than once to 
the prophecies of Daniel, which Gabriel com- 
manded that prophet to seal until the time of 
the end. The Revelation prophesies the un- 
sealing of that book, and Gabriel distinctly tells 
John that the words which he had written were 
not to be sealed; for the time of their fulfillment 
was athand. The expression is both literal and 
prophetic, for the record began with the life of 
John, and extended into eternity. The coming 
of Christ is near; the signs preceding His com- 
ing have already appeared. 

In 1844 prophetic time closed; this was the 
end of the twenty-three hundred days of Dan. 
8:14. It was the beginning of a new work; 
and when the judgment then begun is finished, 
which event the prophecies say is near at hand, 
Christ will rise from His judgment throne, with 
the words, “ He that is unjust, let him be unjust 
still: and he which is filthy, let him be filthy 
still: and he that is righteous, let him be right- 
eous still: and_he that is holy, let him be holy 
still.” When these words are spoken, the 
heavens prepare for His second coming. “ Be- 
hold, I come quickly.” While mercy lingers, 
man, by turning to Christ, may have his heart 
purified; his mind made a channel for divine 
thoughts. Only those who are His servants 
to this extent, can be said to have received His 






THE NEW EARTH. 


T in the forehead. All others are filthy, 
and are numbered with the family of Satan 
who is the father of lies. 

_ At the close of prophetic time Christ came in 
judgment. To-day the message is going to the 
earth; and it is swelling into the loud cry, 
“Behold, I come quickly; and My reward is 
with Me, to give every man according as his 
work shall be.” He who has been sowing to 
his flesh, will reap his reward which is death. 
He who has submitted himself to the ruling 
power of the Spirit, will of the Spirit, reap life 
everlasting. The subjects of the judgment 
of the world, the reward of the righteous, and 
the punishment of the wicked, are threads in 
the web woven in eternity’s loom. 

Eden and the new earth clasp hands in the 
expression so oft repeated in the book of Reve- 
lation, “I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning 
and the end, the first and the last.” “I know 
whom I have believed, and am persuaded that 
He is able to keep that which I have committed 
unto Him against that day.” “Being confident 
of this very thing, that He which hath begun a 
good work will perform it until the day 
of Jesus Christ.” The work, planned before the 
foundations of the earth were laid, is accom- 
plished without an alteration, notwithstanding 
the introduction of sin. The only difference 
there will be, is in the strength of character 
which is developed during the journey through 
the valley of the shadow of death, 

In Eden, God’s word was made known to man 
by angels at the tree of life. Upon obedience, 
rested the right to eat of the fruit of that tree. 
Satan made it appear that obedience to the 


359 


Rev. 14 26, 7. 
Matt. 24:14. 


Talk no more so exceeding 
proudly; let not arrogancy come 
out of your mouth: for the Lord is 
a God of knowledge, and by him 
actions are weighed. 

r Sam. 2 33. 


He that is unjust, let him be un- 
just still: and he which is filthy, 
let him be filthy still: and he that 
is righteous, let him be righteous 
still: and he that is holy, let him 
be holy still. 

And, behold, | come quickly ; and 
my reward is with me, to give 
every man according as his work 
shall be. 

/ am Alpha and Omega, the be- 
ginning and the end, the first and 
the last. Rev, 22 ;11-13. 


For ye shall go out with joy, and 
be led forth with peace : the moun- 
tains and the hills shall break forth 
before you into singing, and all the 
trees of the field shall clap their 
hands. Isa. 55: 12. 


2 Tim. 1:12. 
Rev. 1:4, 8, 11. 
Rev. 21:6, 
Rey. 22:13. 
Phil. 1:6. 


Now unto him that is able to 
keep you from falling, and to pre- 
sent you faultless before the pres- 
ence of his glory with exceeding 
joy. Jude 24. 


x John 2:8. 
Titus 1:2, 
Rom. 16:25, 26. 
Eph. 3 :9. 


If thou wilt enter into life, keep 
the commandments. 
Matt. 19:17. 


360 STORY 


Blessed are they that do his 
commandments, that they may 
have right to the tree of life, and 
may enter in through the gates 
into the city. 

For without are dogs, and sor- 
cerers, and whoremongers, and 
murderers, and idolaters, and 
whosoever loveth and maketha lie. 

/ Jesus have sent mine angel to 
testify unto you these thirgs in 
the churches. | am the root and 
the offspring of David, and the 
bright and morning star. 

And the Spirit and the bride say, 
Come. And let him that heareth 
say, Come. And let him that is 
athirst come. And whosoever will, 
let him take the water of life 
freely. Rev, 22:14-17. 


Rev. 22:14. 


Keep my commandments, and 
live ; and my law as the apple of 
thine eye. Prov. 7:2. 


For the commandment is a lamp; 
and the law is light ; and reproofs 
of instruction are the way of life. 

Prov. 6:23. 


For verily I say unto you, Till 
heaven and earth pass, one jot or 
one tittle shall in no wise pass from 
the law, till all be fulfilled. 

Matt. 5:18, 


Rev. 22 : 16. 
Rev. 14:12. 


For | testify unto every man 
that heareth the words of the 
prophecy of this book, If any man 
shall add unto these things, God 
shall add unto him the plagues 
that are written in this book : 

And if any man shall take away 
from the words of the book of 
this prophecy, God shall take 
away his part out of the book of 
life, and out of the holy city, and 
from the things which are written 
in this book, 

He which testifieth these things 
saith, Surely | come quickly. 
Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus. 

The grace of our Lord Jesus 
Christ be with you all, Amen. 

Rev, 22: 18-21. 







OF THE SEER OF PATMOS. 


commandments was a tyrannical 






+= 


ments,—is the subject of the controversy. In — 
Eden, at the beginning, the commandments and 
the tree of life were placed together. Christ in 
His personal teaching and in His life, linked 
them again, saying, “The words that I speak 
unto you, they are spirit, and they are life”; and 
John, writing for those who stand at the gate- 
way of the New Jerusalem, says, “Blessed are 
they that do His commandments, that they may 
have right to the tree of life, and may enter in 
through the gates into the city.” 

Jehovah’s law is a law of life; those who are 
sealed, are commandment keepers ; and the last 
struggle of earth, will be over the question of 
the immutability of the law. This then, is 
another thread, so often miserably twisted and 
knotted, which is woven into its proper place, in 
this closing chapter. Without are dogs and 
sorcerers, false prophets, murderers, and all, 
who, in word, bear false witness, or by life, belie 
the name of Christ ; but to the church He says, 
“IT Jesus have sent Mine angel to testify unto 
you these things.” ‘Here is the patience of 
the saints: here are they that keep the com- 
mandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.” 
As the offspring of David, He speaks with the 
authority of the rightful ruler of the earth. 
There, His commandments are the foundation 
of His throne and the law of His kingdom. 
He is the bright and morning star, and leads 
the universe; He heralds a new day, when time 





ie 





: Ther new Stig is Satoout to begin ; it is ushered in by 


the marriage supper of the Lamb. The invita- 


tion to that feast is given by the Spirit, the 


Bridegroom, and the bride. There is power in 
the word, “Come”; for the Spirit breathes it, 
and whatever is God-breathed is. 
Here is the same experience 
that Peter had on the stormy 
sea. The Master said, “Come,” 
and while the disciple believed 
the waves formed a solid foot- 
ing. When he doubted he be- 
gan to sink. To-day the Spirit 
says, “Come”; and he who 
believes in the power of God 
unto salvation, will be carried 
through by the one word, 
“come.” It is a living word, 
like the word spoken during 
creation week. As the trees 
have continued to grow year 
after year, each oak bearing 
acorns, which in time produce 
other oaks, so the word “come” 
has been repeated by those who 


361 


Peter answered him and said, 
Lord, if it be thou, bid me come 
unto thee on the water. 

And he said, Come. And when 
Peter was come down out of the 
ship, he walked on the water, to go 


‘to Jesus. 


But when he saw the wind bois- 
terous, he was afraid ; and begin- 





heeded the sound, and whoso- When he doubted he began to sink. 


ever will, has drunk of the fountain of life. 
Those in. whom the Word lives, become living 
voices who repeat the gree « Come,” “Hie; 
every one that thirsteth, come.’ 

“What thing soever I command you, observe 
to do it.” This is the divine voice speaking. 
«Ye shall not add unto the word which I com- 
mand you, neither shall ye diminish ought from 
it, that ye may keep the commandments of the 
Lord your God.” 


ning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, 
save me. 

And immediately Jesus stretched 
forth his hand, and caught him, and 
said unto him, O thou of little faith, 
wherefore didst thou doubt? 

Matt. 14 :28-31. 


Add thou not unto his words, lest 
he reprove thee, and thou be found 
a liar. Prov. 30:6. 


362 


Trust in the Lord, and do good; 
so shalt thou dwell in the land, and 
verily thou shalt be fed. 

Psa. 37:3. 


The words of the Lord are pure 
words: as silver tried in a furnace 
of earth, purified seven times. 

Psa. 12:6. 


Behold, what manner of love the 
Father hath bestowed upon us, that 
we should be called the sons of 
God : therefore the world knoweth 
us not, because it knew him not. 

Beloved, now are we the sons of 
God, and it doth not yet appear 
what we shall be: but we know 
that, when he shall appear, we shall 
be like him ; for we shall see him 
as he is. 

And every man that hath this hope 
in him purifieth himself, even as he 
is pure. 1 John 3 : 1- 


The whole of the Revelation of Jesus 


by the angel Gabriel to the prophet John, tells 
of the unspeakable love of our Father and our 


Brother ; and of longing in the courts of heaven, 
for the completion of the conflict with sin; 
and of the restoration of man to his place 
around the throne. Christ’s parting words are 
concerning His coming. He speaks them Him- 
self, as if to make them doubly impressive. 
“Surely I come quickly.” “Lo, I am with you 
alway,” fellas a parting blessing as the cloud 
received the risen Saviour; “Surely I come 
quickly” is the personal message sent to us 


who are to-day waiting for the consummation: 
And our hearts respond, as with John we say, 
“Even so, come, Lord Jesus.” 











CHAPTER XXIV. 


~*~ THE SANCTUARY AND ITS SERVICE. 


Tue book of Revelation is a revelation of 
Christ’s work in the heavenly sanctuary. The 
first chapter presents Him walking in the midst 
of the seven candlesticks, guarding and directing 
His people. In the fourth chapter, we have a 
view of the throne of God in the heavenly sanc- 
tuary, with the seven lamps of fire burning be- 
fore the throne. The eighth chapter reveals 
our great High Priest adding such incense with 
the prayers of His people, as He presents 
them before the throne. The eleventh chapter 
opens the most holy place and reveals the ark of 
God’s testament containing His law. With 
these facts before us, a study of the book of - 
Revelation is not complete without a chapter 
on the sanctuary and its service. 


I saw seven golden candlesticks ; 

And in the midst of the seven 
candlesticks one like unto the Son 
of man. Rev. 1:12, 13. 


These things saith he that hold- 
eth the seven stars in his right hand, 
who walketh in the midst of the 
seven golden candlesticks. 

Rev. 2:1. 


There were seven lamps of fire 
burning before the throne, which 
are the seven Spirits of God, 

Rev. 4:5. 


Another angel came and stood at 
the altar, having a golden censer; 
and there was given unto him much 
incense, that he should offer it with 
the prayers of all saints upon the 
golden altar which was before the 
throne. 

And the smoke of the incense, 
which came with the prayers of the 
saints, ascended up before God out 
of the angel’shand. Rev. 8:3, 4. 


393 


364 


Who serve unto the example and 
shadow of heavenly things, as Mo- 
ses was admonished of God when 
he was about to make the taberna- 
cle: for, See, saith he, that thou 
make all things according to the 
pattern shewed to thee in the 
Heb. 8:5. 


mount, 


Thou shalt set up the court round 
about, and hang up the hanging at 
the court gate. Ex. 40:8. 


Heb. 9:7. 


Neither by the blood of goats 
and calves, but by his own blood 
he entered in once into the holy 
place, having obtained eternal re- 
demption for us. Heb. 9:12. 


They (the priests) shall keep thy 
charge, and the charge of all the 
tabernacle: only they shall not 
come nigh the vessels of the sanc- 
tuary and the altar, that neither 
they, nor ye also, die. 

Num, 18:3. 


For if the blood of bulls and of 
goats, and the ashes of an heifer 
sprinkling the unclean, sanctifieth 
to the purifying of the flesh: 

How much more shall the blood 
of Christ, who through the eternal 
Spirit offered himself without spot 
to God, purge your conscience from 
dead works to serve the living 
God? Heb. 9:13, 14. 


Aaron shall burn thereon sweet 
fmcense every morning: when he 
dresseth the lamps, he shall burn 
incense upon it. 

And when Aaron lighteth the 
lamps at even, he shall burn in- 
cense upon it. Ex. 30:7, 8. 


Num. 1:53. 








The earthly sanctuary w 
heavenly one. In it, men 
by the Lord served “unto t 
shadow of heavenly things.” 
was surrounded by a court. In thi 
people assembled and the offerings 7 
No blood was ever shed within either tl 
or the most holy place. 
plainly revealed the antitype. Christ came eer 
offered His life in the antitypical court,—this 
earth,—where His people, dwell. He then en- 
tered the heavenly sanctuary with His own 
blood, to present it before the Father in man’s 
behalf. The people could enter only the court 
of the earthly sanctuary; none but the priests 
entered the holy, places. 

The people of God to-day are in the outer 
court,—the earth, and by faith follow their High 
Priest who officiates for them in the holy places. 

There was virtue in every service of the an- 
cient sanctuary to the one who by faith cooper- 
ated with the priest in the service. Those 
priests served “unto the example and shadow of 
heavenly things,” and our High Priest is now 
performing the vea/ work, of which that was a 
shadow, and every individual, who will by faith 
follow Him in that service, will be blessed. 
Every morning and evening the high priest in 
the ancient sanctuary entered the holy place ; 
and placed fresh incense upon the fire which 
was constantly burning upon the golden altar. 
Sufficient incense was placed there each morn- 
ing to last all day, and at evening the supply 
was sufficient to keep the fragrant smoke as- 
cending through all the dreary hours of the 
night. As Israel encamped about the taber- 





Those earthly priests served ‘‘ unto the example and shadow 
of héavenly things.’’ 

nacle, each sleepless one could detect the fra- 

grance of the incense of the sanctuary as it was 

borne upon the breezes of the night. While the 

priest was placing the incense on the sacred fire, 

and the dense volume of fragrant smoke ascended, 


the prayers of the whole multitude ascended: 


with the smoke. What could more fitly repre- 
sent the real incense,—Christ’s righteousness,— 
which He adds to the prayers of His people from 
the golden altar before the Father’s throne in 
heaven? The earthly priests served “unto the 
example and shadow of heavenly things.” Those 
who believe this may £vzow that every morning 
there is an abundant supply of Christ’s right- 
eousness offered, and as they pour out their soul 
before God, their prayers will not ascend alone; 
for the great High Priest will add “much zn- 
cense”’ with them, and the Father, looking upon 
the righteousness of His Son, will accept the 
feeble petitions of His child. All day and all 
night the incense ascended; it represented a 
never failing supply, and testified that whenever 
a sinner cries out for help there is righteousness 
for him. 


‘HE SANCTUARY AND ITS SERVICE. 





365 


The temple of God was opened 
in heaven, and there was seen in 
his temple the ark of his testament. 

Rev. 11 219. 


Looking unto Jesus the author 
and finisher of our faith. 
Heb. 12:2. 


According to the custom of the 
priest’s office, his lot was to burn 
incense when he went into the tem- 
ple of the Lord. * 

And the whole multitude of the 
people were praying without at the 
time of incense. Luke 1 :9, 10. 


Rey. 8:3, 4. 
Rev. 5 :6, 8 


Let my prayer be set forth before 
thee as incense ; and the lifting up 
of my hands as the evening sacri- 
fice. Psa. 141 :2. 


For therein is the righteousness 
of God revealed from faith to faith: 
as itis written, The just shall live 
by faith. Rom. 1:17. 


He shall burn incense upon it, a 
perpetual incense before the Lord. 
Ex. 30:8. 


366 


He put the table in the tent of 
the congregation, upon the side of 
the tabernacle northward, without 
the vail. Ex, 40:22. 


IT am the living bread which came 
down from heaven. John 6:51. 


Heb. 7 :25 


Thou shalt take fine flour, and 
bake twelve cakes thereof: two 
tenth dexls shall be in one cake. 

And thou shalt set them in two 
rows, six on a row, upon the pure 
table before the Lord. 

Lev. 24:5, 6. 


STORY OF THE SEER OF PATMOS. 








Upon the north side of the hol} 
the golden table, bearing its ty 
bread. This bread was called “ 
presence.” Ex. 25:30. “G@imm 
Christ is the “living bread,” who ever 
make intercession for His people. As the ical 
was ever before the Lord, so Christ ever liveth _ 
in the presence of the Father, as the representa- > 
tive of fallen man. The twelve loaves into 
which the bread was divided, represented the 


| 


Us 


ot a tA 


i 


al 


i i 
' 


yo 






























































Bread placed on the tables on the Sabbath. 


Thou shalt set upon the table 
shewbread before me alway. 
Ex. 25730. 
He said unto them, This is that 
which the Lord hath said, Tomor- 
row is the rest of the holy sabbath 
unto the Lord: bake that which ye 
will bake to day, and seethe that ye 
will seethe; and that which re- 
maineth over lay up for you to be 
kept until the morning. 
Ex. 16 323. 


twelve tribes of ancient Israel, and also the 
twelve thousand of each of the twelve tribes 
which form the one hundred and forty-four thou- 
sand, who follow the Lamb wheresoever He go- 
eth. God gave a strict command that bread 
used on the Sabbath should be baked on the 
sixth day, that there be no baking done on 
the Sabbath; but this “bread of the presence” 






the Sabbath, and the old bread that 
"was removed was eaten on the Sabbath day. 

Everything connected with the service of the 
table of shew bread was Sabbath service. It 
_ must surely teach that Christ has special bless- 
ings for His people on the Sabbath, and that 
fresh supplies of His Word, the “bread of life,” 
should be placed upon His table; and as the 
priests ate the same bread the following week 
which they had placed fresh on the table, and it 
was assimilated and became a part of them- 
selves, so Christ would have every one of His 
followers who sets forth afresh the bread of life 
each Sabbath day, eat the same bread them- 
selves and let it become a part of their own 
lives. The people of God are “an holy priest- 
hood,” embassadors for Christ, representing Him 
upon the earth. 

The golden candlestick represented the church 
of God. It was of beaten work, many heavy 
strokes of the hammer were necessary to blend 
the pieces of gold into one complete whole and 
form the perfect candlestick. In like manner, 
it takes many trials and chastisements to eradi- 
cate pride, envy and covetousness from the 
people of God, and blend them imto one com- 
plete church, “ without spot, or wrinkle, or any 
such thing.” The candlestick upheld seven 
lamps; these lamps in the earthly sanctuary, 
were a type of the “seven lamps of fire burning 
before the throne in heaven, which are the 
seven spirits of God.” 

Christ says of the church, “ Ye are the light 
of the world.” The Spirit of God shines forth 
upon the earth through the church. The 


367 


The sons of the Kohathites, were 
over the shewbread, to prepare it 
every sabbath. 1 Chron. 9:32. 

Every sabbath he shall set it in 
order before the Lord continually, 
being taken from the children of 
Israel by an everlasting covenant. 

And it shall be Aaron’s and his 
sons’; and they shall eat it in the 
holy place : for it is most holy unto 
him of the offerings of the Lord 
made by fire by a perpetual statute. 

Lev. 24: 5-9. 

So the priest gave him hallowed 
bread: for there was no bread 
there but the shewbread, that was 
taken from before the Lord, to put 
hot bread in the day when it was 
taken away. x Sam. 21:6, 

Isa- 56:2, 3. 

Isa. 58 = 12-14. 

Let no man despise thy youth; 
but be thou an example of the be- 
lievers, in word, in conversation, in 
charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity. 

x Tim. 4:12. 

Be ye clean, that bear the vessels 
of the Lord. Isa. 52 211. 

x Pet. 2:5. 

2 Cor. 5 :20. 

The seven ‘candlesticks which 
thou sawest are the seven churches. 

Rey. 1:20. 


And thou shalt make a candle- 
stick of pure gold: of beaten work 
shall the candlestick be made. 

Ex. 25 :31. 


Beloved, think it not strange con- 
cerning the fiery trial which is 
to try you, as though some strange 
thing happened unto you. 

t Pet. 4:12. 


For by one Spirit are we all bap 
tized into one body, whether we be 
Jews or Gentiles, whether we be 
bond or free; and have been all 
made to drink into one Spirit. 

For the body is not one member, 
but many. é 

But now are they many members, 
yet but one body. 

1 Cor. 12213, 14, 20, 


368 


Aaron shall burn thereon sweet 
incense every morning: when he 
dresseth the lamps, he shall burn 
incense upon it. 

And when Aaron lighteth the 
lamps at even, he shall burn incense 
upon it, a perpetual incense before 
the Lord throughout your genera- 
tions, Ex. 30:7, 8. 





The candlestick was one 
whole piece. 


For every one that asketh receiv- 
eth ; and he that seeketh findeth ; 
and to him that knocketh it shall 
be opened. 

If ye then, being evil, know how 
to give good gifts unto your chil- 
dren: how much more shall your 
heavenly Father give the Holy 
Spirit to them that ask him? 

Luke 11: 10, 13. 


If we confess our sins, he is faith- 
ful and just to forgive us our sins, 
and to cleanse us from all unright- 
eousness. 1 John 1:9. 


If he be not able to bring two 
turtledoves, or two young pigeons, 
then he that sinned shall bring for 
his offering the tenth part of an 
ephah of fine flour fora sin offering. 

Lev. 5:11. 

If his offering be a burnt sacri- 
fice of the herd, let him offer a male 
without blemish: he shall offer it 
of his own voluntary will at the 
door of the tabernacle of the con- 
gregation before the Lord. 

And he shall put his hand upon 
the head of the burnt offering ; and 
it shall be accepted for him to make 
atonement forhim. Lev. 1:3, 4. 


Thou shalt call hisname JESUS: 
for he shall save his people from 
their sins. Matt. 1:21. 


STORY OF THE SEER OF PATI 









caurch, the candlestick, upholds 
ing souls to the Lord. The can 
whole piece. An individual that 
mony with the body, the church, is r 
of the candlestick. The work of dres: “a 
lamps every morning and evening was note: y 
to the Levites ; but Aaron, the high priest, the 
one who represhaeed Christ in the fullest sense, — : 
cleaned and refilled) the lamps. He served 
“unto the example and shadow of heavenly 
things.” In the heavenly sanctuary, everyday _ 
Christ performs the work of which this was 
atype. It is the privilege of every child of 
God to believe, as each morning he pleads for 
strength and wisdom for the day, that Christ in 
heaven is pouring out an abundant supply of His 
Holy Spirit to meet every need. At the close 
of the day, as he reviews his failures and mis- 
takes, he may know that as on earth the high 
priest lighted the lamps every evening, so 
Christ, the great High Priest, is giving of His 
Holy Spirit to cover all the work of the day. 
Throughout the year the service was con- 
ducted in the first apartment of the earthly 
sanctuary. Provision was made for high and 
low, rich and poor, to bring an offering for sin, 
and by so doing show their faith in the “ Lamb 
of God” that would take away the sins of the 
world. 
The sinner brought his innocent offering to 
the door of the tabernacle, and laying his hands 
upon its head, confessed his sins, thus in type 
and shadow, transferring them to the offering. 
What could more fitly represent the one who, 
realizing that he is a sinner, confesses his sins, 
laying them all on Jesus, the only One who can 
save His people from their sins? 





THE SANCTUARY AND ITS SERVICE. 


In some offerings, a portion of the blood was 
taken by the priest into the holy place and pre- 
sented before the Lord. In every sin offering 
where the blood was not taken into the holy 
_ place, a portion of the flesh was eaten by the 
priest in the holy place. The flesh was assimi- 
lated and became a part of the priest, thus 
typifying Christ, who “bare our sins in His own 
body on the tree.’’ Christ entered the heav- 
enly sanctuary with the same body that hung 
upon the cross; He also entered with His own 
blood. It was necessary in the type to carry 
both the flesh and the blood into the sanctu- 
ary to fully represent the work of Christ. 
It took all the offerings to represent the 
complete work of Christ. Each of- 
fering typified some special portion E 
of His work. 

After either 
the blood or 
the flesh was 
presented be- 
fore the Lord 
in the holy 
place, the fat was separated from the offering by 
the sinner, and the priest burned it upon the 
brazen altar, thus typifying the final burning of 
sin. It was a sweet savor unto the Lord; for it 
represented the burning of sin without the sinner. 
The remainder of the blood was poured out upon 
the ground at the base of the brazen altar, thus 
typifying that the earth would be freed from 
the curse of sin by the blood of Christ. Day 
by day throughout the year, this service was 
carried on in the first apartment. The blessing 
of the Lord attended it, and at times the bright 


24 


Innocent offerings. 


369 


Lev. 4:5, 6. 


Wherefore have ye not eaten the 
sin offering in the holy place, see- 
ing itis most holy, and God hath 
given it you to bear the iniquity of 
the congregation, to make atone- 
ment for them before the Lord? 

Behold, the blood of it was not 
brought in within the holy place: 
ye should indeed have eaten it in 
the holy place, as I commanded. 

Ley. 10:17, 18. 


Lev. 6:30. 
x Pet. 2 724. 
Heb. 9: 12. 
Lev. 4: 8-10, 
Lev. 4231. 






The wicked shall perish, and the 
enemies of the Lord shall be as the 
fat of lambs: they shall consume 3 
into smoke shall they consume 


away. Psa. 37 :20. 


Thou hast bought me no sweet 
cane with money, neither hast thou 
filled me with the fat of thy sacri- 
fices: but thou hast made me to 
serve with thy sins, thou hast wea- 
ried me with thice iniquities. 

Isa. 43 224. 

Lev. 4:30. 

Num. 35 :33- 

At the door of the tabernacle of 
the congregation before the Lord: 
where I will meet you, to speak 
there unto thee. Ex. 29 3 42. 


370 STORY 


And there I will meet with the 
children of Israel, and the taberna- 
cle shall be sanctified by my glory. 

Ex. 29 : 44. 

Lev. 16:29, 30. 

Into the second went the high 
priest alone once every year, not 
without blood, which he offered for 
himself, and for the errors of the 
people. Lev. 9:7. 


Lev. 16: 11-14. 
Lev. 16:7, 8. 





The earthly high priest. 


Then shall he kill the goat of the 
sin offering, that is for the people, 
and bring his blood within the vail, 
and do with that blood as he did 
with the blood of the bullock, and 
sprinkle it upon the mercy seat, and 
before the mercy seat : 

And he shall make an atonement 
for the holy place, because of the 
uncleanness of the children of Is- 
rael, and because of their transgres- 
sions in all their sins: and so shall 
he do for the tabernacle of the con- 
gregation, that remaineth among 
them in the midst of their unclean- 
ness. 






OF THE SEER OF PATMOS. 


; +” Oe 
glory, representing the visible presence of 





would fill the first apartment, and the Lord 


would commune with them at the door. 

The tenth day of the seventh month was the 
crowning day in the tabernacle service. This 
was the only day when the service was carried 
past the second veil into the most holy place. 

Before the priest offered the sin offerings for 
the day, he offered a bullock for his own sins and 
for those of his household. Two goats were cho- 
sen and lots cast upon them, one lot for the Lord, 
the other for Azazel, the evil one. The goat 
upon which the Lord’s lot fell was offered for a 
sin offering; the high priest entered the most holy 
place with this blood, and sprinkled it upon the 
mercy seat eastward, seven times. He then 
came out to the golden altar that had been 
touched so many times during the year with 
the blood of the sin offerings and with the 
blood of the Lord’s goat, cleansed it from all 
the uncleanness of the children of Israel. 
When he had made an end of cleansing the 
sanctuary, when every confessed sin had been 
removed from the sacred place, the high priest 
came forth, bearing the sins of the people, and 
laid his hands upon the head of the scapegoat, 
confessing over it all the sins of the children of 
Israel. Then the goat, bearing the sins, was 
led away into the wilderness, and the people 
were free from the sins forever. 

The type was a beautiful service, but the 
antitype is far more beautiful. Christ our High 
Priest officiated in the first apartment from His 
ascension into heaven until the end of the 
two thousand three hundred days of Dan. 
8:14, when the heavenly sanctuary was to be 


- 


THE SANCTUARY AND ITS SERVICE. 


cleansed. This period ended in the autumn 
of 1844; at which time Christ entered the most 
holy place of the heavenly sanctuary. In the 
type all trace of sin was removed upon the 
tenth day of the seventh month. This day was 
called the day of atonement, or at-one-ment, be- 
cause the sins that separated God and His people 
were then removed. 

In the antitype, Christ forever removes the 
sins of His people, and in order for this to be 
done, there must be an examination of each 
case. Daniel saw the books of heaven open, 
and John says the dead were judged out of 
those things which were written in the books. 
Removal of the sins necessitates an examination 
of every individual case. Since 1844, Christ 
and the heavenly beings associated with Him, 
have been examining the records of heaven. 
The name of every one who has ever confessed 
his sins, will come up in review before the 
Father. ‘The words come back to earth, “He 
that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in 
white raiment; and I will not blot his name out 
of the Book of Life, but I will confess his name 
before My Father, and before His angels.” 
When every case is decided, Christ closes His 
work and leaves the sanctuary. He then lays 
all the sins of His people upon Satan, the anti- 
typical scapegoat, and he is left upon the 
desolate earth during the thousand years. 

In the type, after the sins were laid upon: the 
scapegoat, the priest cleansed the court; the 
bodies of the offerings were burned in.a clean 
place. When the sun set on the eve of the day 
of atonement, the ashes in the clean place were 
all there was left of that which represented sin 


371 


And there shall be no man in the 
tabernacle of the congregation when 
he goeth in to make an atonement 
in the holy place, until he come out, 
and have made an atonement for 
himself, and for his household, and 
for all the congregation of Israel. 

And he shall go out unto the altar 
that is before the Lord, and make 
an atonement for it ; and shall take 
of the blood of the bullock, and of 
the blood of the goat, and put it 
upon the horns of the altar round 
about. 

And he shall sprinkle of the 
blood upon it with his finger seven 
times, and cleanse it, and hallow 
it from the uncleanness of the chil- 
dren of Israel. 

And when he hath made an end 
of reconciling the holy place, and 
the tabernacle of the congregation, 
and the altar, he shall bring the 
live goat : 

And Aaron shall lay both his 
hands upon the head of the live 
goat, and confess over him all 
the iniquities of the children of 
Israel, and all their transgressions 
in all their sins, putting them upon 
the head of the goat, and shall send 
him away by the hand of a fit man 
into the wilderness : 

And the goat shall bear upon him 
all their iniquities unto a land not 
inhabited ; and he shall let go the 
goat in the wilderness. 

Lev. 16: 15-22. 

Heb. 4:14. 

Heb. 9:24. 


Repent ye therefore, and be con- 
verted, that your sins may be blotted 
out, when the times of refreshing 
shall come from the presence of 
the Lord, Acts 3:19. 


Dan. 7:9, 10. 
Rev. 20:12. 


Rev. 3:5. 
Psa. 7 : 16. 


For the bodies of those beasts, 
whose blood is brought into the 
sanctuary by the high priest for sin, 
are burned without the camp. 

Heb. 13:11. 


STORY 


Even the whole bullock shall he 
carry forth without the camp unto 
aclean place, where the ashes are 
poured out, and burn him on the 
wood with fire : where the ashes are 
poured out shall he be burnt. 

Lev. 4:12. 


Ye shall tread down the wicked ; 
for they shall be ashes under the 
soles of your feet in the day that 
I shall do this, saith the Lord of 
hosts. Mal. 4:3. 


I will bring thee to ashes upon 
the earth in the sight of all them 
that behold thee. 

All they that know thee among 
the people shall be astonished at 
thee: thou shalt be a terror, and 
never shalt thou be any more. 

Eze. 28:18, 19. 

Praise ye the Lord. Praise God 


in his sanctuary, Psa, 15021. 







and defiled the sanctuary. In like 
when the great antitypical day of at 
closes, all there will be left of sin, sinners, : 
Satan, will be the ashes under the soles of the 
feet of the righteous on the new earth. After 

Satan’s long conflict with God and His people, 

he will be destroyed, and his ashes, fertilizing 
the new earth, will only add to its beauty. 

Thus ends the long conflict. Never again 
will the harmony of the universe be marred by 
sin. Sorrow and pain will no longer be felt by 


the beloved of the Lord; but throughout the 
ceaseless ages of eternity songs of praise and re- 
joicing will come from lips touched with eternal 
“Let everything that hath breath praise 
Praise ye the Lord.” 


youth. 
the Lord. 





15. 


16. 


17. 


. What is the best gift? 


. When did Daniel live? 


Bur sitONS FOR STUDY. 


Norr.—For the benefit of those who may wish to use “ The Story of the 
Seer of Patmos” as a text-book in either the family or the school the following 
questions have been prepared. 


CHAPTER I: 
THE SEER OF PATMOS. 

What is said of the men through whom 
God communicates with earth ? 

What is the 
church exhorted to do? 

What is necessary in order to view 
scenes still future? Have there been 
any of this class? 

What is said of those chosen to be 
prophets? How are they purified? 


. What is the book of Genesis called? 


What does it contain ? 
When and by whom was it written? 
What relation does Genesis sustain to 
the rest of the Bible? What is the 
Revelation ? 


. How does the preparation of Moses 


compare with that of Juhn? 
What was re- 
vealed to him ? 


. Give in brief, what was shown to Daniel. 


Who predicted the time of Christ’s bap- 
tism? Describe the scene of the 
baptism. 


- Who witnessed the baptism? 
. How did the preparation given Daniel 


compare with that received by John? 

How are they both represented to-day? 
How did the Saviour foretell that 
John would be a latter-day prophet ? 

What is revealed-in the prophecy given 
to John? 

What is the book of Daniel? What is 
the Revelation? When are nations 
mentioned in the Revelation ? 

What is shown by the lives: of Daniel 


18. 


19. 


82. 


33. 


34. 


and John? Who were represented 
by them? 

What was the active element in both 
their lives ? 

Give the particulars in regard to Zebe- 
dee and Salome. 


- In what business were James and John 


engaged? 


. Describe the home life. 
2. Why did the two brothers visit Enon ? 


Who accompanied them? 


. What did they see and hear at Enon? 
. What course did John and Andrew 


pursue? Describe their visit with 


Jesus. 


. Of what was this the beginning? What 


formed the union ? 


. Describe Andrew’s course of action. 
. Give the experience of Peter. 
- Describe John’s connection with the 


Master. 


. What was the result of this union? 


Was it ever broken? 


. What incident is given as proof that the 


union was sometimes broken ? 


. Describe John’s visit to the wilderness 


to seek Jesus. Also his visit with 
Mary. 

Why was John chosen to care for the 
mother of Jesus? 

Was John naturally mild and gentle? 
What name did Jesus give James and 
John? What was revealed by the 
name ? 

With what were the natural inclinations 
replaced? For what were these ex- 
periences a preparation ? 


373 


374 
36. 
36. 
37. 
38. 
39. 
40. 
41. 


42. 


57. 


58. 


. Who sought him ? 


. Who appeared to John? 


What did John become? How many 
had the same gift? 

What does the history of John become? 

Mention four facts in regard to John’s 
Christian experience. Who will have 
a similar experience? 

Give two illustrations showing John’s 
natural disposition. 

What request was made by John’s 
mother? Give the Saviour’s reply. 

What enabled John to comprehend the 
answer ? 

Name the various ways in which John 
showed his iove for the Master. 

What opportunity did John fail to 
grasp? Why? 


. Describe John’s conduct on the night 


of the arrest and trial. 


. Describe the scene at Calvary. 
. What would have prevented their dis- 


appointment ? 


. In what way did John recognize the 


risen Saviour? 


. Where did John go after the resurrec- 


tion? Why? 
What commission 


was given him? 


. Give the future of Peter and John as 


revealed by the Saviour. 


. What is given of John’s history after the 


ascension? What became of James? 


. What was done by the Romans ? 
. Why was John banished ? 
. What was he permitted to see? 


What 
was given to John? 


. What enabled John to become the link 


that connected heaven and earth? 
For what 
purpose? 


. State what is said of Genesis and Rey- 


elation. 
writers ? 
What comparisons are given between 
Moses and John? 
What are the two mountain peaks of 
Biblical history ? 


Who guided the pen of the 


QUESTIONS FOR STUDY. 


i 


10. 


11. 


12. 


13. 


14. 


15. 


16. 
17. 


18. 


19. 


20. 


. What is the first chapter of Revelation 


. State what is said of the first three = % 


. What was opened to John? 







CHAPTER mn ae 
THE AUTHOR OF THE che ae 


verses, 


. What is said in regard to the title of the 


book? What does John call himself? 


. State what is given in regard to the 


names, “ Christ ” and “ Jesus.” — 

Of 
what is the book of Revelation an 
explanation? 


. Give what is stated in regard to the 


union of Divinity and humanity in 
the plan of salvation. 


. What is contained in the history of the 


church ? 


. State what is said in regard to the name 


“Emmanuel.” What was revealed 
to John by Gabriel? 


. When did Gabriel visit John? For what 


purpose? State three things of which 
John “bare record.” 

Upon whom is a heavenly benediction 
pronounced? Of what is this an 
evidence ? 

To whom is the book of Revelation ad- - 
dressed? Who will study the book? 
How much is contained in it? 

What came into John’s mind as he 
looked towards the shores of Asia? 
What was each one of the seven 

churches taken to represent ? 

State the position held by Asia in the 
spread of Christianity. 

What position did Palestine occupy? 
What did Asia Minor become? 

State what is said of Ephesus. 

Name the three Beings that unite in 
sending a blessing to the church. 

Give five statements made in regard to 
Christ. 

What have men been made to acknowl- 
edge? 

To whom does all power belong? 
what are men exhorted to pray? 


For 


QUESTIONS FOR STUDY. 


21. What two positions are given to the 
followers of Christ? State what is 
said in regard to their holding these 
positions. 

22. Relate six scenes that were revealed to 
the prophet. : 

23. What expression is used four times in 
the first chapter of Revelation. 

24, What day was especially dear to John? 
Describe the Sabbath after the cruci- 
fixion. 

25. What two events are commemorated by 
the Sabbath ? 

26. What is the central truth in giving the 
life of Christ? What did the Sab- 
bath bring to John? 

27. Who appeared to John? 
words that were spoken. 

28. What did the voice resemble? De- 
scribe the personal appearance of the 
Saviour. 

29. What is expected of those who reveal 
Christ in the earth? What is said 
of the church ? 

30. Who spoke to John? How was John 
affected by the glory of Christ’s pres- 
ence? 

31. What was laid upon John? Repeat the 
words that were spoken to him. 
What is said of the message given? 

32. Where was Christ walking? What 
symbolized the churches? What did 
He hold in His hand? 

33. Describe God’s care for His church. 
What is completed by the church? 

34, Repeat the last quotation given in the 
chapter. 


CHAPTER. Ill. 


THE MESSAGE TO THE CHURCHES. 
EPHESUS. 

1. How much time is covered by the mes- 
sage to the seven churches? 

2. What is said of the Divine Presence in 
the earth? How does heaven re- 
gard the earth? To what is the 
church compared ? 


Give the 


3. 


4, 


10. 


11. 


12. 


13. 


14, 


15. 


16. 


17. 


. What is said of the Greeks ? 


375 


Who is found with Christ in the midst 
of the church? 

To whom was the first message ad- 
dressed? State several reasons why 
Ephesus was taken to represent the 
first period of church history. 


. What met in open conflict? Describe 


the condition of Ephesus when en- 
tered by Paul. 


. What is said of Paul’s preaching? In 


what place were the first meetings 
held? How long did they continue? 
Why were they discontinued ? 


- Where did Paul then go? How long 


did he teach in this place? What 
was accomplished by his teaching ? 
What ex- 
change did Paul offer them? Re- 
peat 1 Cor. 1:22, 23. 


. How did they show their faith in the 


teachings of Paul? What is said of 
students from the school of Tyrannus? 

What caused an uprising among the 
people? Describe it. Who was Di- 
ana? What came into open and 
bitter conflict ? 

Give the first words addressed to Ephe- 
sus. How did those labor who re- 
ceived the Spirit on the day of 
Pentecost ? 

What is said of Christian churches and 
schools? What effect did this have 
upon paganism ? 

What two classes were found among 
the new converts? Was the church 
able to detect imposters ? 

Name two individuals who had a ready 
spirit of discernment. What is said 
of Apollos? 

Who had instructed Aquila and Pris- 
cilla? What met face to face? 

What three things were met by Chris- 
tianity? By what two methods of 
work was the church raised up at 
Ephesus ? 

Was John acquainted with the work at 


376 


18. 
19. 
20. 
21. 


22. 


23. 


25. 


26. 


27. 


28. 


29. 


30. 


31. 


32. 


Ephesus? What did the angel say 
to the Ephesus church? Who sent 
the message? What power attended 
the Gospel? Why? 

How did Christianity appear to the 
heathen? Why? 

What was accomplished in thirty years? 

Who heard the glad tidings? Who 
ruled the world? Did any of the 
royal household hear the message ? 

What did God say of the workers of that 
period? What was the impelling 
power? 

What did many of the Greek converts 
retain? How did they interpret the 
Scriptures? 

What did the converted philosophers 
try to do? What was the result? 
What message did God send to the 
church ? 


. Who were the Nicolaitanes? State 
their belief. With what did it con- 
flict? To what did itlead? Were 


there other errors? 

What does God say of the Nicolaitanes? 
Give the closing words of the mes- 
sage. 

What promise is held out to the over- 
comer? Who may accept? 

What is said of the tree of life? What 
choice must every individual make? 


SMYRNA. 

How far was Smyrna from Ephesus? 
How did they compare commercially 
and financially ? 

What was a drawback to the Ephesus 
church? In what did Smyma’s 
wealth consist? 

Through whom did persecution come? 
What is said of the true Jew? Who 
belong to the synagogue of Satan? 

What is the devil’s counterfeit of salva- 
tion through faith in Christ? 


What is made clear by the allegory 


given to the Galatians? Who were 


QUESTIONS FOR STUDY. 


33. 


37. 


38. 


39. 


40. 


41. 


43. 


45. 


46. 


47. 


. To whom was the message to Smyma 







i 
represented by Tehmael ? v 
did Isaac represent? Rag 


To what did Gabriel call a 
Why? 


sent? 
. What three classes embraced the faith? 
How did this affect the church? f 
. What was gradually lost? What result ; 
followed? What foundation was ~ 


laid? What became popular? 

What was respected in the Roman 
world? What were the Christians? 

Relate the course pursued by the Chris- 
tians. What was the result? What 
did the Christians often bring upon 
themselves? Give an illustration, 

What edict came as a result of this 
course? How long was it enforced? 

How does the death of a martyr affect 
the Father? Give the definition of 
Smyma. To whom is this name ap- 
plied? 

Did God reprove this church? What is 
said of the over zealous? 

What is said of the second death? 
What does the Smyrna church fol- 
low? 

_PERGAMOS, 

What may we learn from the message to 
the Pergamos church ? 

What caused a reaction? What did 
Constantine espouse? Why? What 
was the effect upon the church? 

What is the meaning of Pergamos? 
State the condition of the church. 

Name five churches which sought for 
supremacy. Which one was acknowl- 
edged to be the head of the Christian 
church ? 

Who was watching the church? What 
message was sent to the Pergamos 
church ? 

Of what two sins was the church guilty ? 





: QUESTIONS 


What character from’ the Old Testa- 
ment is taken to represent this 


period? 


49. Give the substance of the quoted para- 


50. 


51. 


52. 


Quote the promise given. 


graph. How is the exact history 
portrayed ? 

Give the steps that led to the union of 
church and state. 

Give the substance of the second quoted 
paragraph. What was Balaam’s 
scheme? 

Between what years were the church and 
state united? What exchange was 
made? What was introduced into 
the church? 

Define idolatry. Also fornication. 

What would have saved them from the 
temptations of the Moabites ? 


. What was the doctrine of the Nicolai- 


tanes? How did it affect the church? 


- To what period does the message to 


Pergamos apply? To whom is ita 
warming? 

With what must the history of this 
period correspond? What does the 
history of Balaam become? 

What warning was given the Pergamos 
church ? 

State what 
is said in regard to the manna. 

How does a union of church and state 
affect the church ? 


. What is the lesson for the church? The 


home? 

What is written on the white stone? 
What was Zerubbabel called? To 
whom may it also apply? 


. State what is said of the “new name.” 


Give Jacob’s experience. 


. How were the children anciently 


named ? 


THYATIRBA. 


. With what date did the Pergamos pe- 


riod close? What 
mated by this time? 


was consum- 


FOR STUDY. 


66. 


67. 


68. 


69. 


70. 


377 


What separation took place? Describe 
the two companies. What led to the 
apostasy ? 

Give the substance of the message to 
the Thyatira church. 

What was absorbed by the church? 
Who was amenable to this power? 
What was advocated? Why? What 

means was invented to atone for sin? 

What did the masses think? State the 
reproof given Thyatira. 


. What character is taken to represent 


the church of Thyatira? 


. Relate what is given in regard to Jez- 


ebel? What is said of the history of 
Jezebel ? 


. What came as the result of the doctrine 


of justification by works ? 


. Describe the condition of things at this 


time. Who had full control? 


. How was Jezebel’s using the king’s 


name repeated. 


. Give three events in Jezebel’s life that 


were repeated in the history of the 
church ? 


. Whenand how was the power of the 


papacy broken? What continues? 


. What will be the fate of Babylon and 


her daughters? Of whatis the death 
of Jezebel a symbol? 


. Describe the experience of those who 


scparated from the main body in the 
early days of Thyatira. 


. To whom are thesecompared? Name 


some of these faithful ones. 

What message is given these faithful 
ones? Define Thyatira.s To whom 
does it appear to have direct applica- 
tion ? 

What had the church lost? 

What broke the power of the papacy? 
What was given the people of the 
sixteenth century? 

Name three important subjects that 
were presented. Why were they not 
accepted at this time? 


378 
86. 


86. 


87. 
88. 


89. 


90. 
91. 


92. 


Who opened the Scriptures? How was 
the light received ? 

What else was seen by the faithful of 
this period? Why was this sign 
given? 

What promise does Christ give? 

State what is said in regard to the light. 
Give the effect of the fires of perse- 
cution. 

To what was the Thyatira church 
pointed? With what is this message 
in harmony ? 

What should be remembered ? 
will be repeated? 

Give two conditions that will follow the 
union of church and state. 
Of what was Elijah a type? 

words were often repeated ? 


CHAPTER IV. 


What 


What 


THE MESSAGE TO THE CHURCHES.—Con. 


1. 


i 


SARDIS. 
To whom was the Sardis message ad- 
dressed? What period was covered 
by the message to Thyatira? 


. Describe the change in the condition of 


the church. Who were the forerun- 
ners of Protestantism ? 


. When was the darkness first broken’? 


How long before the sun shone in its 
splendor? How long had darkness 
reigned ? 


. How did the change affect the world? 
. Where did God prepare a cradle for the 


newbom cause of Protestantism? 
What nations failed to shelter it? 


. What nation became the center of the 


movement? 


- Define Sardis. To whom is the name 


especially appropriate? What is 
Protestantism? Of what is it the 
result ? 


. What is the result of teaching justifica- 
What gives a death — 


tion by faith ? 
blow to tyranny in government? 
What comes with freedom of con- 
science? 


QUESTIONS FOR STUDY. 


9. 


10. 
11. 
12. 


13. 
14. 
15. 
16. 


liye 


18. 


19. 


20. 
21. 


22. 


23 


24, 


25. 






What opportunity was given Eurc 
the days of Luther? Give ther 


What reason is assigned for the _ 
failure? 


What had existed since the days oe 


Wycliffe? 

Give the history of Protesiatieal in 
England 

Was freedom always granted in America? 
What gradual change was made? 

What is said of the Constitution of the 
United States? When did God 
place His sign in the heavens? 

How did the breaking of the papal 
power affect the countries of southern 
Europe? 

What can you say of the first fifty years 
of Protestant principles in America? 
What was offered each denomina- 
tion? 

Give the particulars in regard to William 
Miller’s experience. 

What line of prophecy did he study? 
With what results? 

Give the condition of the churches. 
What does the Lord say of the con- 
dition of Sardis? 

How had the life been taken from 
Protestantism ? 

What had been the experience of Chris- 
tianity and paganism? When was 
the experience repeated ? 

Describe the experience of Protestantism 
and the papacy. What were they 
bidden to do? 

What were they admonished to remem- 
ber? 

How long did William Miller wait be- 
fore he proclaimed the message? 
Why? When did he begin preaching ? 
To what church did he always belong? 

What two events are recorded for the 
year 1833 a.D.? By what two ways 
was God calling to the Sardis church? 

What class of men helped to spread the 
advent message? 


QUESTIONS FOR STUDY. 379 


26. Tell what you can of the “ Missionary 
to Asia.” 

27. Who proclaimed the message in Eng- 
land? In South America? Relate 
the experience of Gaussen. 

28. How was the message given in Scandi- 
navia? 

29. What was published in 1838? Give the 
particulars in regard to this prophecy. 

- 30. How extensively was the advent mes- 
sage proclaimed? What was said 
to Sardis? 

31. What two sins were found in the church 
at that time ? 

32. What is the white raiment? Give the 
closing words of the message to 
Sardis. 

33. Whose name will be retained in the 
Book of Life? What was revealed 
to Daniel? At the end of what 
period was the judgment opened? 

34. With what did this work correspond? 
What mistake was made? What is 
said of the mistake? 

35. How long will this message be given? 
Who will see the second coming of 


Christ? 
PHILADELPHIA. 
36. What did the Saviourfind? What was 
said of thisclass? What was offered 
by the advent message? 


37. What was the experience of those giving 
the message? Define Philadelphia. 

38. What two motives caused many to ac- 
cept the message? Who composed 
the Philadelphia church ? 

39. How does Christ regard the Philadel- 
phia church? Why? 

40. What took place when the call was 
given, “ The Bridegroom cometh”? 
To what was the door an entrance? 
How was this shown in type? 

41. Where was the glory of God seen in 
the earthly sanctuary? Where is the 
attention directed? 

42. Who opened the most holy place? 


When? What message is sent to all? 

43. How many may enter the door? What 
is possible to the one whose faith 
centers in Christ ? 

44. What came in the autumn of 1844? 
What did further investigation re- 
veal? How was the waiting time 
spent? What inquiry was made? 

45. Who received light? When? What 
course did others pursue? Who 
were left in darkness? What class 
received a flood of light? 

46. What was seen through the open door ? 
What became the test from this time? 
Who was leading the people? How? 

47. What was opened to the understanding? 
What became the message for the 
world? What was portrayed in vivid 
colors? State-what is said of the 
law and the Sabbath. 

48. What effect did the proclaiming of the 
Sabbath have upon the churches? 
Of what should every open door re- 
mind us? Who compose the syna- 
gogue of Satan? 

49. What comparison is made between the 
first advent of Christ and 1844? 
Who will finally be seated on 
thrones ? 

50. What opportunity was given the faith- 
ful ones in 1844? What promise is 
given them? How will patience be 
developed? 

51. What was the message to Thyatira? 
What message was given the Phila- 
delphia church? How did the light 
of Thyatira compare with the light of 
Philadelphia ? 

52. What is said of the crown? Who only 
can enjoy heaven? How long have 
the angels been waiting? 

53. What will some of the Philadelphia 
church become? To what period 
does the Philadelphian message ex- 

. tend? 

54. Wnaat will characterize those who sit on 

the right of the throne? 


380 


55. 


56. 


57. 


58. 


59. 


60. 


61. 


62. 


64, 


65. 


66. 


67. 


68. 


69. 


LAODICEA, 

Name the three churches, whose mes- 
sages extend to the end of time. 
Who gave the message to Laodicea? 

What was in progress during the period 
of the Laodicean message? 

What contrast is given between Christ 
and Satan? When was the cry, 
“Babylon is fallen,” first given? 
What is necessary ? 

Where did the light of the sixteenth cen- 
tury come from? 
tant trmaths were made known at this 
time? What is saidof the Sabbath? 

What was repudiated by the church? 
By the state? What did some pro- 
claim ? 

What is said of the remnant? What 
does Christ say of them? For what 
are heaven and earth waiting? 

What two forces are preparing for the 
struggle? What is the only power 
that can retard the work? 

What command does the Saviour give? 
For what are the Lord and the angels 
waiting? 


. What does the true Witness say of the 


church? What danger lies before 
those who have sacrificed for the 
truth? What will they say? 

What is their true condition? Who 
pities the church? What counsel is 
given them? 

Describe the white raiment offered. 
Who receive it? What is said of 
the life of the one in touch with 
heaven? 

What remedy is offered ior spiritual 

blindness? What is said of Satan’s 

work ? 

What counsel is given by the heavenly 
Merchantman ? 

For what will many bereproved? What 
are at stake? To what time does 

' the Laodicean message extend ? 

Describe Christ’s attitude towards those 


What two impor- 


QUESTIONS FOR STUDY, 


70. 


(ile 


72. 


10. 


11. 








who have not acce 
mitted, what does He 
What honor will be conferred 
remnant? What place will I 
From the lowest depths to what is man nan 
exalted? What is said of the "pace 
occupied by the redeemed? ee 
Who are watching for the consumma- 
tion? Give the closing words of the a7 
message. 
CHAPTER V. 
A GLIMPSE OF HEAVEN. 


. What is said of John’s experience? 


What was opened before him? 


. Relate what is said of Stephen. What 


touched the heart of Christ? What 
invitation was given to John? 


. Who only can view heavenly scenes? 


Who describes the throne of God? 
Did John have a view of the throne? 

How long has the throne of God been 
connected with the sanctuary? How 
should one feel when studying heav- 
enly scenes? 


. What is said of the plan of Redemption? 


How are the heavenly beings em- 
ployed? Describe the One upon the 
throne. ; 


. Of what is the rainbow a symbol? 


With whom did the plan of Redemp- 
tion originate? Give the details of 
the plan. 


. Who clasped hands over the covenant? 


What power was bestowed upon 
Christ? What is said of the work 
of the angels? 


. What will be sung throughout eternity? 


What is nature? 


. What is said of the rainbow? What 


separates man from God? What 
are the tears of the penitent? 

What does God remember when He ~ 
looks upon the rainbow? Of what 
does the rainbow remind man? 

Who were seated about the throne? 
Describe their appearance. Who 





QUESTIONS FOR STUDY. 


are the four and twenty elders? 
Where is their work described ? 

12. What is said of the throne of God? 
What is accomplished by the power 
centered there? 

13. What is said of the work of the angels? 
State what is said of the voice of God. 

14. Mention three times when the voice of 
God was heard by men. What was 

. typified by the seven lamps in the 
earthly tabernacle? Where were 
they? What is said of the Spirit? 

15. What does Jeremiah say of the throne 
of God? How does Ezekiel describe 
it? 

16. What was in the midst of the throne? 
What is represented by these four 
living creatures? Describe each of 
them. 

17. What shows that the New Testament is 
an unfolding of the Old? 

18. Where were the four natures combined ? 
What is said of Judah? How is the 
kingly nature represented ? 

19. What was shown by the genealogy in 


Matthew? State what is said in 
regard to Christ. Of what is every 
firstbom a type? 


20. What was represented by the face of the 
calf? State in full what is said in 
regard to the Levites. Of what is 
every heavily laden beast a reminder? 

21. State what is said in regard to the Gospel 
of Luke. 

22. What does the keen eye of the eagle 
represent? How does John present 
the Saviour? What does he portray 
more fully than any other writer? 

23. Give the substance of the last paragraph 
in the chapter. 


CHAPTER VI. 
WHO IS WORTHY TO OPEN THE BOOK ? 
1. Where had John been taken? What 
was described in the fourth chapter? 
In the fifth chapte r? 


381 


2. Describe the close connection between 
God and Hispeople. What did John 


see? State what is given in regard 
to the book. What is the mystery of 
the Gospel? 


3. What challenge was given by the angel? 
How was John affected by the scene? 
Describe the scene in heaven. 

4. Who broke the silence? Give the 
experience of the elder. What did 
he say to John? What two things 
were taken to represent God’s power? 
Describe the power of the root. 

5. What is said of the Root of David? 
Who only can be trees of righteous- 
ness? With what had John been 
familiar from childhood? What 
promise was familiar to the Jews ? 

6. Give the quotations from Jeremiah and 
Zechariah. Who had used these 
same symbols in John’s presence? 
What is said of Christ? 

. What comparison is given? 

8. For whom did the angel call? What 
was written in the book? Where is 
it revealed ? 

9. Who did John see in the midst of the 
throne? Describe the scene. 

10. State the change wrought in the earth 
by sin. What covenant had been 
made? How did man show his faith 
in this covenant? 

11. What is said in regard to all animal life? 
How did the offerings affect the 
Father? 

. What caused the death of Christ? 
With what is heaven well acquainted ? 

13. What is said of the Lamb? What is 
indicated by the “seven horns and 
seven eyes”? 

14. Who took the book? From whence 
came the power? Who unite in all 
the work of Redemption ? 

15. Who worshiped the Lamb? Give in 
full the work of the elders and the 
living creatures. 


=I 


rere 
by 


382 


16. What is said of the incense in the | 


18. 


195 


or 


. Give the chorus. 


. How is Revelation introduced ? 


earthly tabernacle? 
offered now in heaven? Why is 
repentance a sweet odor? What is 
said of the moming and evening 
prayers? 


What is being 


. State what is said about the unanswered 


prayers. What will finally be known? 
What can the sinner b hold? State 
what is said in regard to the work of 
the elders. : 
What is sung? What is sung by the 
elders? Why? 
deemed in heaven look forward ? 


. What will be the grand chorus when the 


redeemed are gathered? 


. To what does heaven look forward ? 
. What two companies join in the song? 


What is sung by each company? 

Who join in this? 

Who closes the song? How did this 
affect the elders? 

What will enable man to repeat the 
songs of heaven? Towards what are 


all the angels looking? Are you? 


CHAPTER VII. 
HISTORY IN THE SEALS. 
What 
is said of the first five chapters? Of 


the sixth chapter? 


. What is held m the right hand of the 


Father? Who alone can read the 
scroll? What do the seals reveal ? 
What period is covered by the seals ? 
Who only knows all the secrets of 
the life ? 


. Who announced the opening of the first 


seal? What is said of the living crea- 
tures? In whom are they interested? 
What did John see when the first seal 
was opened? What does Zechariah 
say of horses? For what is God’s 
Spirit seeking? What church was 


given a double portion of the Spirit ?> 
. What was represented by the white 


To what do the re- © 


QUESTIONS FOR STUDY. 


10. 


11. 


12. 
13. 


14. 


15. 


16. 


. What is said of the crown ? 






‘horse? What was man 
church of the first century 
separation was made ? 


the success of the work as -repre- 
sented by the crown. Give Peter’s 
experience. : 


. To what was the church compared ? 


What was its most attractive feature? 
What is said of its connection with 
the living water? 


. To what do the writers of that age wit- 


ness? What was written to the 
Romans? What statement was made 
to the Colossians? How long did it 
take to complete this work? By 
what power was it accomplished ? 


. What does the Gospel bring if received ? 


What if rejected? 

Who announced the opening of the sec- 
ond seal? What was said of the red 
horse? State what actually took 
place. 

What period was covered by this seal? 
With what church does it correspond? 

- State how the experience of God’s 
people looked in the eyes of the 
Lord, and in the eyes of the world. 

What was the result of the sacrifice of 
lives? What gave strength to the 
people? Why? Give the result of 
an act performed in behalf of Christ. 

What is necessary for spiritual life? 
What change came in the church at 
this ttme? How did Satan accom- 
plish the work? 

Who announced the opening of the 
third seal? What wasseen? When 
do men become self-appointed judges ? 
Is this the Spirit of Christ? What 
did Moses pray ? a 

What follows disobedience to the law 
of God? What is said of the “ mys- 
tery of iniquity?” What spirit is 
manifested in this power? 

What is said of the balances? Who 


17- 


18. 


19. 


21. 


22. 


24. 


26. 


QUESTIONS 


has oversight of the weighing? 
What divine command is given? Of 
what were the oil and wine symbols? 

What was done by the church during 
thefourth and fifth centuries? What 
change was made during this period ? 

What was seen when the fourth seal 

* was opened? What was indicated 
by the pale horse? Give some facts 
in regard to the persecution at this 
time. 

What is the result of the church being 
clothed with civil power? What fol- 
lows? Who.watches over every 
soul? 

Who suffered with the martyrs? What 
was necessary at the crucifixion of 
Christ? With whom does Christ 
identify Himself? 

What was seen when the fifth seal was 
opened? Where are the names of 
the martyrs? Explain how the earth 
is the altar. 

Who fell before the one who sat upon 
the palehorse? Name some of the 
martyrs. Who else was persecuted ? 
Why? 


. Of what does the earth bear witness ? 


What is said of this witness? What 
question was asked, when the history 
of nations was revealed to Daniel? 
Give the effect of the curse of sin. 
What voice is heard by the ear of Je- 
hovah? 

What did John see? What is said of 
those who have given their lives for 
the sake of truth? How will their 
number be increased? What will 
be repeated ? 

When will they in reality receive the 
white robes? How are they re- 
garded at the present time? 

Who receives the most benefit from the 
history of the seals? When does 
the period of the sixth seal close? 


FOR STUDY. 


27. 


30. 


31. 


32. 


33. 


34, 


36. 


36. 


383 


How does it differ from the first four 
seals? 

Who will welcome the Saviour under 
the seventh seal? What will be the 
fate of those who will not heed the 


signs? 


. How did the sixth seal open? State 


what is given in regard to the earth- 
quake. How may we know which 
events to accept as signs ? 


. How many Bible writers mention the 


signs in the sun, moon, and stars? 
Name the four that wrote before the 
time of Christ. Name those who 
mentioned these signs in the New 
Testament. 

How many peculiarities are mentioned? 
When does Matthew tell men to look 
for the signs? What is meant by the 
“tribulation of those days”? Give 
dates for the beginning and ending 
of this period. Why was the perse- 
cution shortened ? 

When was the persecuting power 
broken? Could the sun be darkened 
as a sign before 1776? 

Give Mark’s testimony. Definitely lo- 
cate the time when the sun must be 
darkened to be asign. Give the ful- 
fillment. 

What is said of Luke as a writer? 
What is shown by the manner in 
which he states the facts? What ef- 
fect would the signs have upon the 
people of God? What were they to 
know? 

How near is the Saviour’s coming? 
What is stated in Joel 3:15? When 
was the sun darkened? Describethe 
event. 

Give the prophecy of Amos and the ful- 
fillment. 

Give Isaiah’s prophecy, also Amos 8:9. 
What does Ezekiel record? Which 
is the only dark day that fulfills all 
the specifications given in the Bible? 


384 


37. 


38. 


39. 


40. 


41, 


42. 


43. 


Give the substance of the quotation - 


from “Our First Century.” How 
did the sun appear? 

What prophecy kad been given in regard 
to the moon? Describe the fulfill- 
ment. 

How were the stars to fall? Give the 
date of a shower of stars that fulfilled 
this prophecy. Describe the scene. 

Give date for the opening of the sixth 
seal. What four statements are 
made concerning this period? What 
two classes are mentioned ? 

To what does the sixth seal look for- 
ward? Describe the change wrought 
in the earth by sin. 

How will the voice of God affect the 
earth? Who will then seek to hide 
from the Lord? 

What dates are clearly marked? 
shall be able to stand?” 


CHAPTER VEE 
THE SEALING WORK. 


“Who 


. What does the seventh chapter of Reve- 


lation contain? What is said in re- 
gard to the signs? What was to 
follow the signs in the heavens? 


. Locate the seventh chapter of Revela- 


tion chronologically. What did John 
see? What is said of these angels 
and their work? Of what was the 
wind a symbol ? 


. What two principles changed the condi- 


tion of the world? Define each. 
What besides the churches was af- 
fected by the Reformation? What 
was required ? 


. Where did civil and religious liberty 


blossom and bear fruit? State how 
the United States was regarded by 
other nations. 


. What was the condition of Europe? 


What is said of France? Describe 
the condition in all the European 
countries. Where did the trouble 
first break out ? 


QUESTIONS FOR STUDY. 


te 


9. 


10. 


ile 


12. 
13. 


1k. 


15. 


16. 


17. 


. When did the climantnanaaa State in 








France. 

European countries ? = Ae 
What three important events in 

history are mentioned ? 


full the particulars of the trouble in : 
France. Give the changes wrought 
in Germany, Prussia, and Austria. — 

What took place in a brief period of 
time? Describe the calm which fol- 
lowed. What was practically a thing 
of the past? What could now ripen? 

What is said of the closing work in the 
earth? What is now going on? 

What did John see? How are nations 
represented? What question is 
asked? What is always true of God’s 
people? 

What was given to Abraham? What 
is given to the seed of Abraham liv- 
ing in the end of time? How is the 
seal received? What is this sign or 
seal? Give the words of Paul? 

Give a full definition of the seal. Be- 
tween what two parties is the Sabbath | 
asign? Of whatisit asign? Who 

‘only can enjoy the spiritual rest in 
the Sabbath ? 

Where is the seal placed? Who only 
can readit? Can civil law enforce 
Sabbath-keeping ? Why not? 

Whose life reveals true Sabbath-keeping? 
Which day is the Sabbath? Name 
the three steps taken in making the 
Sabbath. 

What does every seventh day of the . 
week contain? What three things 
are necessary in the seal of every 
earthly ruler? Where is the seal 
usually attached to a legal document? 

Where is the seal placed in the law of 
God? Repeat the fourth command- 
ment. Point out the three specifica- 
tions of Gcd’s seal.as given in the 
fourth commandment. 


18. 


19. 


20. 


21. 


22. 


23. 


24. 


25. 
26. 
27. 


28. 


29. 


QUESTIONS FOR STUDY. 


When the fourth commandment is 


omitted, has the law any seal? What 
two things are mentioned as being 
revealed in the fourth commandment? 

What call was given in 1848? Since 
that time, what message has been 
going to the earth? How did the 
work commence? What is said of 
the extent of the work ? 

How many receive the seal of God? 
How are they divided? What is the 
basis of the sealing work ? 

To whom was the promise of the new 
earth made? Who inherits the 
promise? What position will the 
adopted children occupy ? 

What is said of the names of the twelve 
tribes? What class is represented by 
the name of Issachar? State whatis 
said of Naphtali. What contrast is 
given? Are both classes necessary ? 

What is said of Levi? Of Reuben? 
Who are represented by Judah? 
What tribe is left out? How is the 
number made up? What was said 
of Dan? What gift was given Dan ? 
How did he pervert the gift? What 
did he become ? 

Who has the gift of judgment misdi- 
rected? Will those who continue to 
criticize others ever enter heaven? 
Why not? 

Who did John see before the throne? 
What is said of this company? Of 
what do they sing? 

To what other company was their atten- 
tion directed? What is said of this 
company ? 

What was Satan forced to acknowledge? 
What is their reward? 

What position was held by Lucifer? 
Who fell with Satan? Who will 
finally occupy the place formerly filled 
by Satan? 

Who compose Christ’s body-guard ? 
State what is said of this company. 

2) 


385 


30. How will the sunlight on the new earth 


31. 


10. 


11. 


. What was shown to John? 


. Describe the coming of Christ. 


. What was given the prophet? 


compare with the present state? De- 
scribe the effect of the glory of the 
angel upon the Roman guard. 

What is said of those who walk in the 
presence of God? Givethe substance 
of the last paragraph in the chapter. 


CHAPTER IX. 
THE TRUMPETS. - 


- What is the closing work of earth ? For 


what is the universe now waiting? 
What can hinder this work ? 


. What is said of Christ’s kingdom and 


the subjects? When will the over- 
comer inherit the kingdom? 

When does 
the sixth seal close? What is said 
of the opening of the seventh seal? 


. What is said of God’s dwelling place? 


Who carries the announcement that 
the work is done? Mention four 
events that follow the announce- 
ment. 

What 
promise will then be fulfilled? De- 
scribe the reunion that will then take 
place. 


. How much time is spent on the journey 


home? What is said of this company? 


. Of what is the giving of the law a sym- 


bol? Give the words of Moses. 


. Who only will hear the law spoken a 


> second time? 

Give 
what is said of the messages to the 
churches. Give in full what is said 
of the seven seals. What other 
phase of history is given? - 

How much time is covered by the seven 
trumpets? What three lines of 
prophecy are mentioned as extending 
into eternity ? 

Of what is the trumpet a signal? What 
is the history of the trumpets? Why 
is it left on record ? 


386 


12. What work is introduced before the 
trumpets? Why? How is Christ 
presented? Give in full what is said 
in regard to the incense. 

13. Of what was the incense atype? What 
is said of the supply? What does 
the High Priest offer? What is said 

‘of recorded prayers? How surely 
will they be answered? What are 
the angels doing? 

14. Will any reject light? How and when 
will the prayers be answered? , What 
takes place in heaven when the seal- 
ing work is finished ? 

16. What is Satan’s studied plan? What 
effect will this plan have upon indi- 
viduals and the church? By whom 
was this lesson taught? How was 
the lesson taught the Roman Empire? 

16. What is said of the Roman Empire at 
the time of Christ? When was 
Rome divided? Give capital of each 
division. Give what is stated in re- 
gard to the three divisions. 

17. What followed the soundi2g of the first 
angel? Give the historical fulfill- 
ment. 

18. When and by whom was the Eastern 
Roman Empire invaded? Describe 
the invasion. When was Italy in- 
vaded? Describe the invasion. Give 
the particulars in regard to the capture 
of Rome. 

Give date of Alaric’s death. 
said of his successor ? 
20. Quote Rev. 8:8. Where and by whom 
was this fulfilled? Who led the 
Vandals? What is said of him? 
Give the particulars in regard to the 

Vandals being in Africa. 

21. How did the Vandal conquests in Africa 
affect Rome? What other conquests 
followed? What happened in June, 
455? Describe the pillage of Rome. 
How did it compare with the sack of 
Rome by the Goths? 


19. What is 


* Sen 
QUESTIONS FOR STUDY. 


24, 


26. 


28. 


29. 
30. 
31. 


382. 


33, 


. What measures were tal 


. Quote Rev. 8:10. What is ataraee: 









s 


agree? 
quests and give their 


What was prepared? — 
in these preparations? -S 
destruction of the fleet. a 
How was Genseric recognized? Wha 
did he live to see? Give date. Ble v4 
change was taking place in Rome at — 
this time? Sear 


Huns? What took place in the days 
of AEtius? What course did Theo- 
dosius pursue? Whatdid the Senate 
do? Of what was this a fulfillment? 

Who became rulers in 483? What’ is 
said of the conditions of peace? Give 
the substance of the conditions of 
peace. 


. What was Rome made to realize? What 


course did Attila pursue? Give the 
result. 

Describe Attila’s invasion of Italy. How 
did Rome escape? What is said of 
the ““wormwood” and the “star”? 

When did Attila die? Was Rome de- 
livered? Who was in the heighth of 
his power at this time? How long 
did his work continue? 

What is said of Roman power? Who 
occupied the throne of Rome. What 
was necessary to complete the over- 
throw? 

Quote Rev.8:12. How many emperors 
ruled during the last twenty years of 
the Roman Empire? Relate what is 
said of Nepas, Orestes, Augustulus, 
Odoacer, and Zeno. 

Give particulars in regard to Odoacer’s 
reign. In what condition was Rome? 
Who had prophesied of this? [ 

How long will Rome remain divided? 
When did the Middle Ages begin? 


36. Quote Rev. 8:13. 


is 3 
+ 


* 


QUESTIONS FOR STUDY. 


What is said of the next few years? 
Give the fulfillment of Dan. 7:8. 


84 Where did the people seek safety? 


_ What power was constantly increas- 
ing? What is said of the church? 


35. How did the Saviour appear to His fol- 


lowers? What is said of the fall of 
Rome? Of what is its fall a type? 
What is said of the history of the 
four trumpets? How is Rome next 
presented? 

What is said of 
- barbarian warfare? How does 
heaven look upon these scenes? 
What is especially designated as 
woes? 


CEUAP TiR eX. 
THE BEGINNING OF WOES. 


1. What bitter struggle is mentioned? 


What is said of the devil’s counter- 


feits? How has God used these de- 
ceptions? What should be kept in 
the mind? 


. What is said of God’s plan and Satan’s 
working? Who was seen by the In- 
finite One? 

. What did the “mystery of iniquity” 
find? What shows the foresight and 
wisdom of the Saviour? What is 
said of Satan’s schemes? How 
shown? 

. What is said of the barbarian hordes? 
In what condition was the Eastem 
Empire? Quote Rev. 9:1. What 
had gone forth from northem Asia? 
From central western Asia? 

. When and where was Mohammed born? 
From whom did he claim descent? 
What is said of the faith he founded? 
. What does Gibbon say of Arabia?- Who 
were gathered in Arabia? How did 
Mohammed become acquainted with 
these people? 

. What is said of Mohammed? What is 
said of his flight from Mecca? Give 
date. How did the religion of Mo- 


10. 


11. 


13. 


14. 


. Give Abubeker’s 


387 


hammed compare with the faith of 
others? Give some facts in regard 
to their worship. 

What was the single rule of action? 
How do the Mohammedans regard 
Jesus? By what was the Bible re- 
placed? In what respect did Mo- 
hammedanism seem to be a reform? 
What is the foundation of a Moham- 
medan’s faith? Compare it with the 
papacy. 

What is said of the ancient history of 
the Arab? What did Mohammedan- 
ism do for them? To what was the 
rapid progress of the Saracen arms 
due? What was the result? 

Give the result of the fall of modem 
Persia. Quote Rev. 9:3. What 
are the Saracens called? Show how 
the eighth Egyptian plague describes 
their work. 

What did Solomon say of the locusts? 
Show the parallel in the history of the 
Saracens. How did Mohammed first 

’ gain adherents? What change was 
made? In a few years what con- 
quests were made? Describe their 
mode of conquest. 

instruction 
chiefs. Who were protected? 
destroyed? When was the conquest 
of Egypt begun? When and by 
whom was an attempt made to con- 
quer Africa? When were the Moors 
conquered ? 

When did the Moslems reach the 
Pyrenees? What did they -hope to 
do? When and by whom was their 
progress checked? Give an account 
of their work in Spain. What was 
preserved by them? 

What change was made in their mode of 
conquest in the South and West? 
Was this true of the East? State 
what is said of their warfare in the 
East. 


to his 
Who 


388 


15. When did they attack Constantinople? 
What inducement was held out to 
the army? What dismayed them? 
How long did they continue the 
siege? 

16. What was done in 677? What took 
place between 716 and 718? State 
how the two Saracen armies were de- 
feated. Why did they give up the 
second attempt to capture Constan- 
tinople? 

17. In what way did the Saracens resemble 
the locusts? Why did they fail to 
capture Constantinople? State what 
is said of the Arabian horse. 

What is the Arab’s crown? What is 
said of their customs and personal 
appearance? State what is said of 
their mode of warfare. 

With what were the Arabs armed? 
Quote Rev. 9:11. Give the historical 
fulfillment. What is said of Othman ? 

What was done by the Crusades? What 

was approaching? When did Oth 
man invade Nicomedia? What does 
Gibbon say of the date? 

How long were the Saracens given 
power to hurt men? Five prophetic 
-months equal how much ljteral time? 
Give dates for the beginning and end 
of the 150 years. 

What does Gibbon state of Othman’s 
work? What demand was given and 
obtained by Orchan? What was ac- 
complished between 1360 and 1389. 

23. State what you can of the fourth king? 
What was the condition of Constan- 
tinople? With what other foes did 
the Turks have to contend? Did 
the Byzantine court gain strenght? 
Quote Rev. 9:12. 

For what was God waiting? How was 
the sixth trumpet opened? What 
altar is here referred to? Quote Rev. 
9:18,i4. When on the verge of 


18. 


19. 


20. 


21. 


22. 


24. 


25. 


26. 


27. 


28. 


29. 


30. 


31. 


382. 


33. 


34, 


36. 







How were the “fou 
Name the fgur Sul; 
soon gained by the 
What change of rulers w 
1451? Relate in full whati 
of Mohammed Il. hve 


How did the Moslems treat the re 
ligion of Rome? What was affected 
by the fall of Constantinople? 

What followed the fall of Constanti- 
nople? By what had the breastplate 
and scimiter been replaced? How 
did the discharge of the firearms ap- 
pear to the prophet? Who does 
Isaiah say is the “tail”? ; 

What is said of the military valor of the 
Turks? What other factor was 
equally potent? What prophetic pe- 
riod began July 27, 1449? State 
what is said of this period. How 
was the end marked? 

Give date for the end of this prophetic 
period. Give the four waymarks in ~ 
the history of Constantinople. 

What conclusion was drawn by Josiah 
Litch and Wm. Miller? Was this 
published? Relate the historical 
facts that led to the fulfillment. 
What four powers held a council? 
When? 

What did the Turkish ruler volunteer 
todo? Give the substance of the 
official document 

When was this signed by the Turkish 
ruler? How has Turkey been known 
since that time? 

Give Daniel's prophecy concerning Tur- 
key. When will the Turks leave 
Europe? Of what will this move be 
a sign? 


To what should these things lead us? 


OUESLIONS FOR STUDY. 


In what two places will we look for 
changes? What takes place in heaven 
when the capital of Turkey is removed 
to Palestine? 


36. What is said of the closing words of the 


1. What was seen by John? 


=I 


ninth chapter? Of what is the fall of 
nations a symbol? How are men af- 
fected by these things? Who are 
precious in the sight of the Lord? 
What work is being done to-day? 


CHAPTER XI. 

THE VOICE OF THE MIGHTY ANGEL. 

What are 
mingled in God’s dealings with men? 
When did a thrilling message come 
to the world? 

Describe the angel that brought the 
message. What is said of the mes. 
sage? What was the significance of 
the cloud? What enables individual 
to penetrate the cloud? 


. To whom is the rainbow a reminder of 


the everlasting covenant? Give the 
history of the rainbow. Who behold 
the bow? When was the rainbow 
first placed in the sky? 


- What is said in regard to God’s looking 


upon the rainbow? ‘What does every 
cloud contain? What is said of the 
dark clouds? Of what should every 
cloud be a reminder ? 


. What was shown by the rainbow about 


the head of the angel? What is said 
of the insignia of earthly potentates ? 
What did the angel bind together? 


. What two events were prophesied of by 


Daniel? What was Daniel’s proph- 
ecy? What was he told to do? At 
what time, and by whom would it be 
understood? What was the line of 
prophecy Daniel sought to under- 
stand? What is the only sealed 
message of the Word ? 

Describe the book in the angel’s hand. 
When did the angel set one foot on 


10. 


11. 


12. 


13. 


14, 


389 


the sea and one on the land? De- 
scribe the condition of the world 
How much was embraced in the mes- 
sage? How was the message given? 
What was the result? What was 
seen on the brow of the angel ? 


. How did nature respond? Give the oath 


of the angel. How was Jewish history 
divided? State what is included in 
the two thousand three hundred days 
of Daniel 8:14. 


. When did men begin to study the 


prophecies of Daniel? What conclu- 
sion was drawn? To what did they 
think the cleansing of the sanctuary 


referred? How was it preached? 
Who led the workin America? In 
England? In Asia? 


How was the work carried forward in 
Sweden? What interpretation was 
given Rey. 9:13-21? What took 
place in 1840? How were people af- 
fected by it? What message was 
given at this time? From whom was 
it sent? 

What did the angel sware? Describe 
the messenger. What was the effect 
of. preaching the message? What 
did the school children repeat ? 

Quote Rev. 10:7. What is said of the 
seventh trumpet? What will be fin- 
ished in the beginning of the seventh 
trumpet? When did the sixth trum- 
pet end? When was the loud cry of 
the mighty angel given? When did 
the seventh trumpet begin to sound? 
What is the mystery of God ? 

When was the truth in regard to the 
heavenly sanctuary discovered? 
What began in 1844? Where did 
Christ go at that time? What was 
begun when the first case was de- 
cided? : 

What was this period? With what are 
the sixth and seventh verses of the 
tenth chapter of Revelation parallel? 


E gles 


15. How was the advent message received ? 
Quote Rev. 10:8. Did the angel 
close the book? Quote Rev. 10:9 
What does eating the book imply? 
How did Jesus use the figure? 

16. When was there a deep searching of the 
Scriptures? Describe the condition 
in the spring of 1844. Give the par- 
ticulars in regard to the decree of 
Artaxerxes. 

17. What was the effect of eating the little 
book? What is said of the disap- 
pointment? To what is it compared ? 
What was the effect upon the 
churches? What message was given 
as the result ? 

18. How were the expectations of many de. 
feated? Quote the words of the 
angel. What is said of this message? 

19. How many will hear this message? 
What is the message? When did the 
bitter disappointment pass? 


CHAPTER XII. 
THE THIRD WOE. 

1. What is contained in the three pre- 
ceding chapters? In the eighth 
chapter? Give the outline of the 
ninth chapter. What is given in the 
tenth chapter of Revelation? 

2. What is said of the eieventh chapter? 
State the condition of Rome in 476 
A.D. Name the ten tribes that were 
settled within the borders of the 
Western Empire. What three were 
“plucked up”? When? Why? 
What was developed from the other 
seven tribes ? 

8. What does a study of the Eastem Em- 
pire necessitate? What was claimed 
by the western division of Europe? 
What is said of the attempt of Mo. 
hammedanism to conquer Western 
Europe? How did the West stand? 

4. What was bom in the West? What 
commission was given Western Eu- 


QUESTIONS FOR STUDY. 


5. What was given John? — 


» 


© 


10. 


11 


12 


rope? For what y 


. What was shown John? 


. What is said of the temple? What 









tion ? 


todo? What is said 
solute rule by which actic 
ured? Give the conclusion of 
whole matter. What was the 1 
uring reed? A 
dom was given him? ‘For what pur- 
pose? Of what is God’s law an ex- 
pression ? 


story was told by the measuring of 
the temple? When John measured 
the altar what was seen? What is 
said of the love of Christ? How . 
long will it be studied? What does 
it reveal? How many dimensions 
does it have? What does it all read ?. 


How many classes are measu.ed by the 


law? Whatis the test? What is 
the standard? Describe the charac- 
ter that is accepted. What develops 
a character that will stand the test? 


. What was revealed under the thirdseal ? 


What contrasts are given? To what 
place was the attention of the prophet 
called? What was to be left out? 
Why? For how long a time was the 
holy city to be trodden under foot ? 


Where is the scene located? Quote 


Dan. 7:25. Explain the twelve hun- 
dred and sixty days. When was the 
papacy established? What was this 
period called? What is said of it? 


. What two powers brought darkness? 


Describe the work of Mohammedan- 
ism. What two powers bore sway in 
the East? Describe the thraldom 
in the West. 


. What day did the Mohammedans sub- 


stitute for the Sabbath? What did 
the “man of sin” think to change? 
By what was the Bible replaced in the 
East? Quote Rev.11:3. For how 


14, 


15. 


16. 


Te 


18. 


19. 


20. 


QUESTIONS 


long a time was the Bible suppressed 
in the West? What does history 
prove? 

What was believed by the one that held 
the balances? What was God doing 
at that time? 

What are the “two witnesses ”? What is 
told by the Old Testament? By the 
New Testament? How is the same 
mystery revealed to individuals? 
Relate the incident at Jacob’s well. 


When will the testimony of the two 


witnesses be accepted ? 

What is said of the two olive branches? 
How is the church represented? 
From where does the oil come? 
What.is said of the oil? 

How is the unity of the candlesticks 
typified? Of what is this a beautiful 
picture? From whence does life 
flow? What brings spiritual death ? 
Does this affect the tree? 

What is said of the two witnesses ? 
What is the only channel through 
which man may receive light? What 
is said of the power of the two wit- 
nesses? What does Elijah’s experi- 
ence illustrate? When was the re- 
straining power of God withdrawn? 
What followed? 

What was removed by the Reformation? 
What was accomplished by Wycliffe’s 
translation? How was the light 
spread? Give illustrations. What 
formed the basis of all instruction? 
What followed ? 

To what do all historians witness? 
What is stated by Ranke? What 
prevented the overthrow of the pa- 
pacy? What is said of the Jesuits? 

Through what means did the Jesuits 
work most efficiently? What was 
the result? What is said of France? 
What is said of the Jesuit teaching? 
When did the beast make war against 
the two witnesses? 


FOR STUDY. 


21. 


22. 


23. 


24. 


26. 


28. 


. What took place on earth in 1840? 


391 


What is said of the Counter-Reforma- 
tion? In what does France stand 
alone? State what is said in regard 
to the worship of the “‘ Goddess of 
Reason.” 

When was the Bible prohibited in 
France? How long did this condi- 
tion exist? What was repeated in 
France? What else was found there? 
What did France do? 


What was established in France? De- 
scribe the scenes which followed? 
How did other nations look upon it ? 
What resolution was passed by the 
convention? Describe the condition 
of the nation, 

Who called a halt? What was seen by 
the nations? What has been ex- 
alted? Which nations have taken 
the.lead? What is said of copies of 
the Word of God? Give the rise of 
the British Bible Society. Tell of 
the American Bible Society. What 
is the result? 


. When did modem French history begin? 


What was the great earthquake? 
What did the beast receive? What 
changes were wrought? What fol- 
lows the exaltation of the Scriptures? 


Who place themselves on the verge of 
a precipice? What is being repeated 
in the twentieth century? What is 
exalted by education without God? 

In 
heaven? Who was sent forth? 
What response was made on earth? 
Why was the seventh angel held in 
heaven? Quote and explain Rev. 
11:14. 

What was John told in the tenth chap- 
ter of Revelation? Quote Rev. 11: 
15. What three things are necessary 
to make up a kingdom? What is 
the work of the investigative judg- 
ment? Explain when the three parts 


392 


29. 


380. 


31 


. 


32. 


33. 


of the kingdom will be given to 
Christ. 

When and by whom is the enrollment 
for the kingdom made? State in full- 
what is said of this work. What 
takes place when the work is com 
pleted? What is said of the elders 
and their song? To what do they 
look forward? 

When did the third woe begin? When 
does it end? Name five events 
which take place during the sounding 
of the third woe. 

When did Christ’s ministration in the 
most holy place begin? Quote Rev- 
11:19. When was the sacredness of 
the law revealed? What was seen 
about the fourth commandment? 
How did the seal of the law stand 
out? 

What filled the people with reverential 
awe? Who saw light? Upon whom 
was the seal placed? What do they 
compose? 

What will be seen in the sky? What 
will be the condition of the earth 
when the third woe closes? 


CHAPTER XIII. 
THE GREAT CONTROVERSY. 


. What is said of the salvation of souls? 


State the object of all creation. 
Through whom has God revealed the 
plan of salvation? How have the 
angels shown their interest in the 
work? 


. What plan is given to reveal God’s love? 


What is said of the ministration of 
angels? By what are the Father’s 
blessings offset? To what did every 
offering point? 


. How was the real object of the service 


often hid? For what were God’s 
people anxiously looking? How did 
they always picture the Coming One? 
For whom did the self-righteous Jew 


4, With what is Satan familiar? ~ ik, 
what did he try to absorb the Sta ~ 
of the people at Christ’s first advent? ge ‘a 


10. 


11. 


12. 


13. 


14. 






Jew? What was 
prophecies. ? 


What was the condition of the world 
when Christ was born? 


. What was the condition of the race? 


State what is said of Zacharias and 
his wife. How were their prayers 
answered? 


. What is said of Nazareth? What mes- 


sage did Gabriel bring? How was 
the message received? 


. How many have been mentioned who 


were true to God? Who elseis men- 
tioned? Whatis said of Anna? In 
what condition were these faithful 
ones said to be? 


. How are these faithful ones represented ? 


What was represented by the moon? 
What met 1n the child that was born? 


. What was shadowed forth and taught 


by every sacrifice offered? Whatdid 
the sinner see by faith? What did 
the service typify ? 

What kind of a foundation has God 
placed under His church? From 
what is light emitted? What is said 
of the twelve stars? 

What is said of the birth of Christ? 
Into whose territory did He come? 
How? What was the wonder that 
appeared in heaven? What is stated 
in Rey. 12:9? 

What was done by Rome during the 
reign of paganism and papacy? Who 
gained control of Palestine? Relate 
what is said of Herod. Of what 
scripture was this the fulfillment ? 

When did Herod die? How was one 
third of the stars cast to the earth? 
What other event was described by 
these words? : 

Describe Satan’s attempt to destroy the 


16. 


16. 


17. 


18. 


19. 


20. 


21. 


22. 


QUESTIONS FOR STUDY. 


infant Jesus. Who guarded the 
child? Name some of the ways 
Satan attempted to overcome the 
Saviour during His lifetime. 

What five names are given to Christ? 
What was said of Judah? How was 
this fulfilled? What did the Father 
say of Christ? 

Who only has been given the right to 
tule with arod ofiron? Quote the 
decree given. 

State what is said of the Saviour’s life 
and death. Give two instances when 
heaven resounded with shouts of tri- 
umph. How many years before the 
papal tyranny? 

Give the three steps from the typical 
service to the day of triumph. What 
was brought to the mind of the 
prophet ? 

When was there warin heaven? How 
did it originate? What was the re- 
sult? Whatissaid of Justice, Mercy, 
and the rainbow ? 

What did Satan claim? Where was he 
granted a trial? At what cost? 
Through what did Satan work? 
What did our planet become? State 
in full what is said of the council at 
the gate of heaven. 


What part did Satan act? What two 
cases are mentioned? To what have 
the angels listened? What four 


events in the life of Christ were 
watched by the heavenly host? 
Quote the words of Christ as He looked 
forward to the cross. What was 
sealed at the cross? Describe the 


scene. What stood face to face at 
the cross? For what had Christ 
lived? What had Satan manifested ? 


. What was heard in heaven when Christ 


died on the cross? What assurance 
did this bring to Christ? Quote Rev. 
12:10. What triumph was gained at 
the cross? 


2. Describe Patmos. 


393 


24. What was formed by the life of Christ? 


Quote Rev. 12:11. How did the 
sealed sepulcher affect the disciples? 
Contrast this with the feelings of the 
angels. Quote Rev. 12:12. 


25. What effect did all of this have upon 


Satan? What newscheme did he in- 
vent? When was the papacy estab- 
lished ? 


26. How long did the papacy hold power? 


Give the condition of the world during 
this period. 


27. How did God break the power of the 


What three instances are 
mentioned? What is still felt in the 
earth? Who have the privilege of 
giving the Gospel to the earth? 


papacy ? 


28. What is contained in the tenth and 


fourteenth chapters of Revelation? 
Give in full the two characteristics of 
the Remnant Church. 


29. How will Satan work at this time? 


What was given to John? What is 
added? What will be obeyed by the 
Remnant Church? What is said of 
the book of Revelation? 


CHAPTER XIV. 
THE BEAST FROM THE SEA AND THE 
BEAST FROM THE EARTH. 


1. When can the world’s history be rightly 


understood? What was seen in the 
history given John? Whatis revealed 
in the history of nations? What is 
contained in the twelfth and thirteenth 
chapters of Revelation? 

How were the scenes 
of nature connected with the teach- 
ings of Christ? Quote Rev. 13:1. 
Describe the beast. Where do we 
find the same symbols ? 


3. How much of the world’s history is cov- 


ered by the four beasts shown to 
Daniel? State what is said of Baby- 
lon. Give the character of the Medes 
and Persians. What example of 


tyranny is given? 


394 


10. 


11. 


12 


13. 


. What took place in 330 A. D.? 


. What new scheme was presented through 


Greece? What was the result? 

From whence did the beast come? 
What was combined init? Describe 
the body. 


. How many heads did the beast have? 


Give in full the six different forms of 
government introduced into Rome be- 
fore the advent of Christ. 


. How was the pagan empire of Rome af- 


fected by the preaching of Christ? 

_ Where did paganism hide itself? 
What did this establish? Into how 
many divisions was Rome divided? 
Into what did seven of these divisions 
develop? 


. What is shown by the crowns on the 


horns? How many horns were set 
aside to make way for the seventh 
head? What was written upon each 
of the seven heads? What did it in- 
dicate? What is said of the seventh 
head? 

What is 
said of the pope’sthrone? Who laid 
the foundation of the papacy? When 
and by whom was the edifice com- 
pleted? What three powers opposed 
the bishop of Rome? 

When did Justinian’s decree go into ef- 
fect? What began in 638 a.D.? 
Quote Rev. 13:6. What power was 
claimed by the church ? 

What attempt was made? Howdid this 
affect the Sabbath? What change 
was made in the decalogue? What 
was the result? Who found death a 
welcome relief ? 

How widely was the Gospel preached ? 
How many-will feel the oppression of 
the seventh head? What was ac- 
complished by the seed of the woman? 
When and where was the last public 
persecution ? 

What took place in 1798? What is 
said of the wound? Is the work of 


QUESTIONS FOR STUDY. 


14. 


15. 


16. 


17. 


18. 


19. 


20. 


21. 










be made before the enc an ‘: 
What four things are said of the ho 
names are in the book of 


Who will be destroyed? Who will 


as king? What follows the east? on 


Why is such a power tolerated? _ 


What will be seen in the closing days? _ ha 


Who will meet these things? 

What is said of the twelve hundred and 
sixty years? State three ways in 
which it has been viewed. What is 
the noontide of the papacy? What 
will be repeated? When? What is 
given in the last half a chapter six- 
teen? 

What is said of the Reformation? In 
what two ways must the papacy be 
considered? To what did the 
Reformation give birth? Give the 
fulfillment of the words, “The earth 
helped the woman.” 

What more definite view of the help 
given by the earth was shown John? 
When did this power arise? Contrast 
the rise of the two powers. When 
and by whom was it brought into ex- 
istence ? 

When did Europe hear the reports of 
a land beyond the sea? What mo- 
tives inspired the navigators? What 
was God’s purpose in the discovering 
of the United States of America? To 
what country did Protestantism pass 
after Germany refused full liberty? 

What country gave free scope for the 
development of these principles? 
What course did the British finally 
pursue? To what country did these 
principles of liberty then pass? What 
freedom did America give its people? 

In what particular place did Protestant- 
ism and Republicanism struggle for 


'¢ 





“, 


existence? Whai *id the principles 
of monarchy strivetodo? Whatwas 
the result of perseverance and strong 
determina ‘ion ? 

22. How did Boston show its freedom? To 
what place did Thomas Hooker emi- 
grate? What was the result of this 
move? What was it that gave Rhode 
Island its existence? How does it 
stand in the Union to-day? 

23. In what other place was this battle 
fought? What took place in 17:6? 
What led to the forgetting of all in- 
ternal strife? What was the danger 
that now awaited the people? When 
some men advocated to return to 
former principles, how did God inter- 
fere? 

24. What important move was made in 1787? 
What was the result? What did 
Gladstone say of this document? 
Upon what principles was this new 
government founded? Of what was 
this an outgrowth? What then was 
restored to their proper place ? 

25. How long had darkness covered Europe? 
At the end of this period, what arose 
out of the earth? What was then 
planted in congenial soil? What did 
this nation become to all other na- 
tions? What has become the model 
for the reorganization of nations? 
How did it affect the monarchs of 
Europe? 

26. Is the world free from the influence of 
the dragon? What is necessary to 
successfully carry out these principles? 
What has been the real support of 
the nation? What philosophy has 
supplanted the truths of God? What 
is the result of the philosophy of 
Greece on the education of children 
and youth? What does it develop 
in the character? What is its effect 
upon society ? : 

27. How docs the dragon’s voice sound 


QUESTIONS FOR STUDY. 


395 


through all the earth? Whodictates 
to thousands? In what way is the 
voice of oppression heard? What 
does the prophecy teach us concern- 
ing America? What are the words 
of the prophet? 

28. What is the Protestant nation imitating? 
What is seen more and more in the 
nation? How is it affecting the na- 
tions of Europe? How and where 
will the deadly wound be healed? 
Where is the home of Protestantism? 

29. What is the character of her churches? 
What are they rapidly doing? What 
two things will characterize the rem- 
nant? To whom do these two char- 
acteristics belong ? 

380. What did the beast do that is seen in 
the image? What is the object of 
the Spirit of Prophecy? How is it 
counterfeited? Through what agency 
does the devil seek to imitate the 
work ? 

31. How will Satan himself finally appear ? 
What will he have power to do 
through human instruments? What 
does Christ say will arise? What 
did the dragon seek to do at the birth 
of Christ? When Christ was caught 
up to heaven, what did the dragon do 
tothe church? What will be his 
most daring act ? 

32. Where did Spiritualism arse? When 
Satan thus appears, what will he de- 
mand? What people will the laws 
then imitate? What was demanded 
by the decree of Xerxes? Willthese 
scenes be repeated ? 

33. Where will the sign of loyalty be re- 
quired? What will bring every indi- 
vidual under the eye of the govern- 
ment ? What condition of things that 
once seemed impossible is now in ex- 
istence P 

34, Why is the history of the beast repeat- 
edly given? How has America once 


396 


taken the lead, and what will she do ? 
How is the image compared with the 
real in the thirteenth chapter of Rev- 
elation? Explain Rev. 13:18. 

35. What is now right upon the world? 
Where will be the battle-field for the 
final struggle? What will go forth 
from its borders? With whom will 
the members of this church join? 

36. What is fast approaching? What will 
succeed the downfail of nations? 
What will be developed in this strug- 
gle? When willthis be accomplished? 
What will be demonstrated before 
the universe? What should be the 
prayer of all? 


CHAPTER, XV. 
THE THRBE ANGELS’ MESSAGES. 

1. When was John’s attention called to 
scenes where the conflict was ended ? 
What is said of the Lamb? What 
choice did He make? Locate the 
city of God. ; 

2. When did Christ enter the first apart- 
ment of the sanctuary? What took 
place in 1844? When do the events 
in the last part of chapter thirteen 
take place? What is the condition 
of the ruling powers of earth during 
the time of this sealing work? 

3. What is said of the one hundred and 
forty-four thousand? What took 
place in 1848? When is the wound 
of the beast healed? Where is the 
image to the beast formed? How 
much power was given it? What 
class is oppressed by the image? 

4, What nations control the world? How 
many are reached by the sealing 
angel? What contrast makes the 
work of redemption seem wonderful ? 
From whom is the last company 
chosen? Why are they chosen? 

5. Who receive the name of the Father in 
their foreheads? How are they 









to represent Christ and 1 
church? What is said of 


is the name of the Father pla 
How will they be shielded? — 

7. What is said of the character of tl 
company? How does the possi 
sion of the mind of Christ affect men ? 


Is it possible to walk with God to- __ 


day? Give the character of those 
who are sealed. How did they over- 
come? 

8. Who only can enter the temple? Where 

~ are the new names written? What 
position does this company occupy 
throughout eternity? How are they 
described? 

9. Define music. Who will sound the 
clearest notes? What will each 
chord tell? To what are heavenly 
voices compared ? 

10. What will the hundred and forty-four 
thousand sing? Who only can join 
in the song? What is said of the 
music ? 

11. Give the title of their song. Of what 
class is Mosesatype? Whoclaimed 
the body of Moses? Who will have 
a special resurrection? Why? With 
whom does this company join their 
voices? Of what victory will they 
sing? : 

12. Quote Rev. 14:6. What is given in the 
tenth chapter? - Of what is Rev. 
14:6-12 a further development? To 
what period of time did the angel re- 
fer? When was the message given? 
What marked the close of the two 
thousand three hundred days? How 
was this change announced on earth? 

13. How extensively was the message given? 
What was proclaimed? What has 


; QUESTIONS FOR STUDY. 


long been the point of controversy? 
By what was this gospel covered? 
What came as the result of this? 
14. By what did Satan try to hide the gos- 
_ pelin the days of Babylon? How 
has it been treated through all time? 
What did Christ put in a new setting?- 
How did His questions affect the 
learned doctors? What had been ac- 
- cepted by the world? 

16. What is said of the sixteenth century 
reformation? Where was light seen? 
What is said of Protestantism? De- 
scribe the parasiticvine. What mes- 
sage was proclaimed while this vine 
was growing? To what did men 
turn? What book was studied? 

16. Quote Dan.8:14. When did this period 
end? How many times is the word 
“sanctuary” used in the Bible? Does 
it ever refer to the earth? What 
mistake was made? How was Dan. 
8:14 interpreted? By whom was 
this message proclaimed in America, 
England, and Asia? 

17. Describe the disappointment. What 
was said by the faithful? While 
studying the Scriptures, what did 
they receive? What did they see by 


faith? What had they truthfully 
given? What work commenced at 
that time? 


18. What message was heard throughout 
theearth? Explain the fulfillment of 
Zech.9:9. If the people had known 
all, would the message have gone 
with power? 

19. How long will the first angel’s message 
sound? How was it given in 1843 
and 1844? When will it again swell 
into aloud cry? Who will join in 
giving the everlasting Gospel? 

20. Give the second angel's message. In 
what two ways was the preaching of 
the everlasting Gospel received by the 
people? What class was pronounced 


3oF 


fallen? Who drank of the pure water 
of life? What position was taken by 
the churches after 1844 ? 

21. What kingdom was taken as a symbol 
of the churches? What mixture is 
offered men in place of the everlast- 
ing Gospel? What union is formed? 
What attempt is made? When did 
the second angel’s message begin? 
How long will it continue? Why 
are the words “is fallen” twice re- 
peated? 

22. To what is this warning given the 
churches compared? Who will heed 


the call? When will the message 
swell into a loud cry? What two 
classes are mentioned? What was 
done by the first angel? What has 


been invented by the devil? What 
warning is given by thesecond angel? 

23. When was the sealing work begun? 
What is said of the law of God? Is 
there a countersealing ? What does 
Jehovah recognize in the lives of His 
people? What are the three charac- 
teristics of the seal? Does the 
enemy’s seal possess these charac- 
teristics ? 

24, What does the image to the beast en- 
force? Which commandment has 
the papacy thought to change? What 
power are those obeying who choose 
to keep the first day of the week as 
the Sabbath P 

25. What will the law compel men to re- 
ceive? What prophecy will then be- 
come a reality? What will take place 
in the close of earth’s history? What 
will happen to those who accept 
Jehovah as King? 

26. What did another angel flying in the 
midst of heaven proclaim? How ex- 
tensive was the first angel’s message? 
What relation do the second and 
third angels sustain to the first? How 
many will hear the warning of the 


398 QUESTIONS 


third angel? In what can each indi- 
vidual honor the Creator? How 
much light will each receive? 


27. What will those who reject the warning 
receive? What does the Lord say of 
those who will heed the warning? 
Who will drain to the dregs the cup 
of God’s wrath? What has Satan 
claimed? In what condition are those 
from whom the Sun of Righteousness 
withdraws His shining? What is 
this time called? How is man left 
to contend with disease and death? 


28. What are the plagues in the sixteenth 
chapter of Revelation? Can man 
who lives in the light of the sun real- 
ize what it would be to have it blotted 
out? How does this illustrate the 
time of the plagues? What will the 
seventh plague accomplish ? 


29. When will the wicked be called forth 
from their graves? What then takes 
place? Who will live without an in- 
tercessor? How are the righteous 
hidden? How are they described? 
Where are their eyes turned? What 
are they awaiting? Who only are the 
living representatives of God on the 
earth ? 

30. What is watching and waiting? What 
did God say to John? What did He 
tell him to write? What did the 
Spirit say? What will those be free- 
from who fall asleep? Who com- 
pletes the good work they have be- 
gun? 

81. What change is made in Christ’s gar- 
ments? What is placed upon his 
brow? “Who draws near? What 
does the angel say that comes from 
the temple? What does the angel 
say who had power over fire? 

32. What two vines have been growing in 
the earth? Which vine is the most 


luxuriant? How are its grapes de- 









scribed ? Where 
thrown? a 
33. Why does nation rise 
What great battle is fou 
flows for miles around 
What takes place at last 
_ seen in the East? What 


the cloud draws near ? 





34, 
Who are drawn upward ? 1 
be reunited? Who meet? 
song does all creation take up ? 


CHAPTER XVI. 
PREPARATION FOR THE PLAGUES. 

1. Of what has inspiration given us a vivid 
description? Why cannot human 
language describe it? What is the 
New Jerusalem called? Where is it 
located ? 

2. Between what two periods did Christ 
minister in the first apartment of the 
heavenly sanctuary? Where was the 
lamb slain? 

3. When did the two thousand three hun- 
dred days of Dan.8:14end? What 
does the tenth chapter of Revelation 
make known? What began when ~ 
Christ entered the most holy apart- 
ment? How long will the judgment 
continue? When this work is over, 
what does Christ do and say? How 
many will then have heard the ever- 
lasting gospel ? 

4. With whom will those in the last genera- 
tion be numbered? What does 
Christ at this time cast upon the 
earth? What does He lay aside? 
What bursts forth in all its splendor? 

5. In what way did Christ minister in 
heaven? What was veiled? When 
Christ utters the triumphant shout, 
“Tt is finished,” what takes place? 
How does this glory flash forth? 
When and how was this typified? 


QUESTIONS FOR STUDY.~ 399 


Who then, with Geek leaves the 
temple ? 


6. “What does John see standing before the 


altar? What was given to theseven 
angels? What is under the control 
of mighty angels? Who has had a 
partial control of these forces? Who 
now stands waiting the command of 
Jehovah ? 


7. To whom does John now have his eyes 


tumed? From where does this com- 
pany come? While Christ and the 
angels are without the temple, who 
alone remains within? How do they 
pass the time of theplagues? What 
affect did the deliverance of Israe] 
have upon the nations? What song 
" did they sing? 


8. How did the sea of glass appear to 


John? What.music is then heard? 
What song did they sing? What 
has Satan sought to do through all 
this controversy? Of what will he 
finally be convinced? What will he 
confess? Who finally pronounces 
his sentence? What does Christ 
then proclaim ? 


9. In what condition are the wicked at this 


time? What is moved at the voice 
of God? What is about to begin? 


CHAPTER XVII. 
THE SEVEN LAST PLAGUES. 


1. What veil was rent in twain when Christ 


died? What did the words “It is 
finished ” announce to all the uni- 
verse? Where is it that Christ rises 
from His judgment throne? What 
voice then reaches the utmost bounds 
of creation? Whose glory fills the 
temple ? : 


2. What may men continueto plead ? Who 


are they like? Willprayer any longer 
prevail? What will be forever at an 
end? To what has man turned adeaf 
ear? 


3. From whom does all life emanate? 
What do men deny? What do they 
claim? Who will have the full con- 
trol of the wicked at this time? In 
what condition are the people of God ? 


4. From where does God’s call come at the 
last time ? What does Hesay to the 
seven angels? What has been with- 
drawn from the earth? How long a 
period of time will the plagues con- 
tinue? Where did the first angel 
pour out his vial ? 


5. Has the earth ever refused to respond 
to God’s call for food? In what way 
will the day of the Lord come? 
What will be the effect of this first 
plague? How does the prophet 
Habakkuk describe it? What is the 
condition of the cattle and man? 
What comes upon men ? 


6. How many classes are there then upon 
the earth? What is the only rebuke 
of disease? What would the touch 
of Christ accomplish when upon the 
earth? Who alone will resist dis- 
ease? What will be sure to the peo- 
ple of God? In the midst of this 
terrible suffering, what will the little 
companies sing? Will any plague 
come upon them? How many 
plagues came upon the Egyptians be- 
fore the Lord put a division between 

~ them and His people? 


7. What does the Lord say to His people? 
What does He create upon every 
dwelling ? Where was the vial of the 
second angel poured? What was the 
effect P 


8. What was a type of God’s care for His 
people at this time? In what does 
the strength of God’s people consist ? 
What will men say during the falling 
of these plagues? What example 
have we of this? How did it affect 
Pharaoh? Whom did Pharaoh’s re- 


400 


pentance resemble? Will it be the 
same at this time? 

9. What is the effect of the third angel’s 
pouring out his vial? What do flow- 
ing streams and wells of water typify ? 
What is God’s voice to man in the 
flowing water? When the priests 
bore the flagons of water from the 
brook Kedron, what did they sing? 
Who will sing these words again? 

10. What is bending near the earth in the 
time of trouble? What will be the 
effect of the heat of the sun when 
God’s Holy Spirit is withdrawn? 
What is God to His enemies? Of 
what does the sun become an agent? 
What is taught by the cloud over? 
shadowing the camp of Israel by day? 
What is the affect of the sun then 
upon the earth ? 


11. What has the Lord done during the 
lingering of probation? What will 
be seen? Where did the fifth angel 
pour out his vial? What develop- 
ments of the beast are manifest in 
the last days? What does all the 
world do at this time? 


12. What was a type of the darkness of the 
fifth plague? At what have men 
scoffed? What does God bring upon 
men, and how does it affect them? 
What cannot deliver them? When 
God hides His face, how does that 
affect men? Where only does the 


light shine? What is destroyed with 


the earth? 

13. Of what is the overthrow of nations a 
symbol? What three witnesses have 
spoken constantly? How will men 
go on during the falling of the 
plagues? What was Elijah called? 
How will the people of God be 
pointed out? What do the beast 
and his image seek to do? 

14. What adds strength to the oppression ? 


QUESTIONS FOR STUDY. _ 









Upon what is the six! 
out ? What does Ar | 
What noted battles were 
Megiddo, or Armageddon 
fought against Sisera in the valle y of J 
Megiddo? Where was Josiah ‘slain? 

16, What does the prophet say there will 
be in Jerusalem? Where does the — 
seventh angel pour out his vial? 
What is its effect? What is the — 
voice of Jehovah heard to say? How 
does this affect the heavens? Where 
does the Lord have His way? When 
He rebukes the sea, what is the re- 
sult? How will it affect the hills and 
the earth? 

17. What does He say to the world? What 
becomes of the mountains? What 
will the righteous sing? What will 
the Lord cause to be heard? Where 
will His anger be made manifest? 
What will fall upon men? What 
happens after God says, “ It is done”? 
What is fast approaching? Who 
come forth from their graves? At 
what time does God deliver His peo- 
ple? What is seen in the East? 

18. What song arises from God’s people? 
With what words do they greet the 
advancing cloud? What comes up 
in remembrance before God? How 
will Babylon then appear? —To whom 
is God a consuming fire? Whatisa 
short distance ahead of us? What 
will insure a hiding-place beneath the 
wing of the Almighty? 


CHAPTER XVIII... 
BABYLON, THE GREAT MYSTERY. 

1. Of what is the seventeenth chapter of 
Revelation a history? What distin- 
guished the beast that John saw rise 
from all other beasts? From what 







OUESTIONS POR STUDY. 


standpoint did Daniel write his his- 
tory? What does he mention in con- 
nection with the nations? 

2. In order to get a thorough understand- 
ing, what two prophets should be 
studied together? What will be in 
the last days? Howdoes John de- 
scribe it? What is the cause of the 
seven last plagues? Does God arbi- 
trarily withdraw His mercy from the 
earth? 

8. What has God revealed to man age after 
age? How have men treated the di- 
vine law, and what has been the re- 
sult? How has God given an object 
lesson of the ultimate result of a vio- 
lation of His law? 

4, What follows the breaking of the lats 
chord of mercy binding heaven and 
earth together? What does this an- 
gel control? What has been his 
work trom the beginning of history? 
Tiow has it been with the nations? 
Did man learn wisdom by this expe- 
rience? Of what should these reve- 
lations have warned him? 

6. Who has heard the voice of God in this ? 
Where was John carried by one of 
the seven angels? How could he 
view these events? What did he see? 

6. What relation did woman sustain to the 
work of creation, and what did God 
pronounce her? What is the influ- 
ence of woman {for good or evil? 
What does a pure woman represent? 
What does a prostitute woman repre- 
sent ? 

7. What is the apparel of the wife of our 
Lord? When the character is lost 
what attracts the eye of the church? 
What does the Lord want? What 
does the world seek? 

8. Where, and for what purpose does the 
whore sit? What do waters sym- 
bolize in the Scriptures? Who pay 
their mcney to this base creature? 

26 


10. 


11. 


14. 


15. 


16. 


17. 


401 


From what do they drink? When 
they have drunk once, what effect 
does it have? Of what is this a 
picture? 


- How does John describe the nations? 


What was on the forehead of the 
woman? What does Paul say of the 
“mystery of iniquity” ? 

How is the Apostolic church repre- 
sented? What does the history de- 
scribe? What was their attitude 
towards those who held false doc- 
trines ? How could the inward change 
be read? 

In what way did paganism come into the 


church? In what way did they treat 
the Scriptures? What did they 
finally demand? 


2. What was going on for the first five 


centuries after Christ? What does 
He say of His people? Did the 
church heed this call? How did she 
deck herself? 


3. For how long a time did the capital of 


Rome control thenations of Europe? 
How does God describe the woman? 
Who was represented by the woman ? 
How does Daniel describe this 
power? What did she first do that 
led her into this condition? What 
does God now call her? 

For what purpose are governments or- 
dained of God? What is the prov- 
ince of government ? How is religion 
maintained in all pagan nations ? 

What has the devil ever sought to de- 
stroy in nations ? What is the history 
of nations? What did Satan attempt 
to do in each government? 

What did Christ do when He came into 
His own territory? How did the 
death of Christ affect Satan? What 
change did Satan then make in civil 
government? When did this change 
begin ? 3 

In how many directions has Satan 


402 


18. 


19. 


=20; 


21. 


23. 


24. 


worked to accomplish his object? 
How was the Roman nation recog- 
nized in the days of the Saviour? In 
its development, how many forms of 
administration had been tested? 
What were these changes of rule 
cailed ? What was suppressed, and 
what was exalted? 

What change did the “mystery of in- 
iquity” accomplish? How many 
heads and horns did the beast have? 
With what do the seven heads and 
ten horns identify the beast? What 
further explanation does John give 
of the seven heads ? 

What do mountains symbolize in proph- 
ecy? Howis this divided state de- 
scribed in Daniel 2? Before what 
year were the ten divisions formed? 
When did Justinian publish his de- 
cree recognizing the Roman diocese 
as the head of the government? 


In what year was the last obstacle re- 
moved? From this time onward, 
wat position did Papal Rome oc- 
cupy? By whom was she controlled? 
Did the devil succeed in his plans ? 

What did the woman become? With 
what was she drunk? How did king- 
doms come into her power? Was 

~ the lion, bear, or leopard ‘scarlet ? 
What painted this nation red ? When 
was this nation red with the blood of 
martyrs? 


. What did the church claim during this 


1260 years? What did the church 
do? Who executed the judgment ? 

What further explanation did the angel 
give? What prevailing element ex- 
isted in the government during the 
reign of the first five heads? What 
was the principle during the sixth 
head ? 

When did paganism disappear to all 
outward appearances? What is real 


QUESTIONS FOR STUDY. 


papacy? What fe low 
mation? 
25. What will take place in the 
What will be the supreme 
tion? Where will these 
gather? What will fall upon 
From where do they come? Whi 


do they go into perdition?’ What is” 
the nature of the death they die? 
26. With whom have these governments — 


been in conflict? What has been — 
their crime? When and how are 
they slain? What will pi ps 
error? \ 7: 
27.-Whcre will the beast and his image 
finally go? Who will go with them? 


CHAPTER XIX, 
BE YE SEPARATE. 

1. What is depicted in chapter seventeen? 
What name did God call the church 
of Rome? What did He show by 
the angels who hold the vials of His 
wrath? What are the natural re- 
sults of spiritual fornication ? 

2. To what period is the mind carried back 
for the origin of the expression, 
“Babylon”? What caused the de- 
population of the earth at the time 
of Noah? Where did the descen- 
dants of Noah gather together? 
What had God told them? What 
did they begin to do? What spirit 
took possession of the men? 

3. What was the result of their iniquity 
reaching unto heaven? What was 
the origin of the languages? What 
term is applied to them? How did 
the devil show that he was deter- 
mined not to be defeated? What 
happened sixteen hundred years 
later? 

4, How was this kingdom used by the in- 
spired penman? Of what is its over- 
throw an object lesson? Through 
what chapter is this figure followed? 









th 


~ 6. Where is God’s dwelling place? 


QUESTIONS 


To what does such a study open the 
mind ? 

What 
boast did Babylon make? What did 
the church do? What was literally 
true of ancient Babylon? What did 
God never intend that the church 
should do? How did He reign when 
upon the earth ? With what was He 
clothed? What made it necessary 
to put on the apparel of the world? 
Why? 


- 6. What was the city of Babylon called? 


Who at this time controlled the com- 
merce of the world? What wealth 
was laid at her feet? Wheredid she 
send her ships for spices? From 
where did she obtain her ivory? 
From where did the ships of Tyre 


_ bring her metals? Who built her 


lofty structures ? © 


7. What was the character of her kings? 


How long was the Jewish race held 
as slaves? How was Babylon re- 
warded? Do travelers to-day cor- 
roborate this downfall? 


. What message did God give Jeremiah? 


Why was this detail preserved in the 
record of ancient Babylon? When 
were these sins repeated ? 


9. How did the Roman see gain her 


‘ 


power? What was for sometime her 
rival? What other city besides 
Rome is situated upon seven hills? 
From what directions did the Barba. 
With what were the 
Barbarians satiated? What power 
met them face to face? Of what 
were they ignorant? What was 
their condition when they prostrated 
themselves before the church? 


rians come? 


10. What did all nations do to Rome? 


From whom did she gather her stores 
of wealth? What tribute did Eng- 
land pay to Rome? For what was 


POR STUDY 


ale 


2, 


— 
bo 


403, 


their money needed? How were 


the poor robbed ? 


How many rose at the bidding of Rome? 


What was exchanged for gold? How 
is this. tyranny illustrated? Who re 
ceived the same principles? How 
did England show she possessed the 
same spirit? What nation has never 
fully recovered? 


. What other nation was drained of its 


wealth? What spirit did the Pagan 
Roman Empire have? What claim 
was made by Rome? How did she 


treat :he souls she had in her grasp? 
Who bore God’s message to Rome? 
What reply did Rome make? 


13. When did the wounding of the head of 


14 


the beast take place? Of what 
period did that mark the beginning? 
What brought the light to each of 
the kingdoms of Europe? 


. What are the nations of Europe doing 


to-day? What is fast disappearing ? 
What agreement is made before the 
outpouring of the plagues? How 
does she stand before the nations of 
the earth to-day? How is she re- 
gaining hercrown? What is about 
to be given into her hands? What 
will place the unbounded resources 
of this country in her hands? 


15. What will Protestants then repudiate? 


How is society revolutionized? 
What becomes more and more 
marked? In what way is this 
shown? Through what means is 
this obtained? How is this shown 
among the Protestant churches ? 


16. What messages are sent to save the 


world? How are the churches de- ' 
scribed when devoid of the Spirit of 
God? 


17. To whom did Saul go when he was re- 


jected by divine counsel? What 
was his end? To whom are the 
churches given over? Who are they 


404 


18. 


19. 


20. 


21. 


22. 


23. 


prepared to receive? Of what did 
Babylon become the home? How is 
this applied to modern Babylon? 

What does the third angel’s message 
offer? How long will the judgments 
of God wait? Who join the angel? 
What is this enlightenment in the 
world called? What will be the ef- 
fect of the loud cry? What will 
cause fervent prayers to be offered? 

How was it with the Jews in ancient 
Babylon? How did Daniel pray at 
the time of deliverance? When will 
Daniel’s prayers be m»st fully an- 
swered? What other prayer for for- 
giveness was partially answered? 
From what place does God hear and 
answer prayer? 

What takes place when Satan manifests 
his greatest power? What will be 
heard from heaven? What will the 
angels of God do? Who escaped the 
destruction that came upon Babylon 
anciently? Why did they not all 
leave the city of Babylon? 

What was the occasion of Lot’s wife 
looking back? What crisis will be 
brought upon families in the loud cry? 
What scripture is applicable to this 
time? 

When do the beast and his image grow 
more intolerable? Where will the 
believers seek shelter? How longa 
period will be covered in the falling 
of the plagues? What scripture de- 
scribes those who reject the message? 

How long did the “two witnesses” 
prophecy clothed in sack-cloth? 
What was found in Babylon? What 
has become of those who loved the 
Word of God? How does God de- 
scribe the closing of probation? 
What no longer offers any attraction ? 


. How are the merchants and great men 


of earth affected? How will the earth 
itself be affected? What has reached 


25. 


is He doing to all those who 

spiritual life? - ae 
Of what is the story of Babylon a 

ture? How will the controversy « 


CHAPTER XX. 
THE TWO SUPPERS. 


. What Scriptural invitation is given? 


What is the everlasting gospel said 
to be? 


in this great reunion? How are the 


guests arrayed? 


. What was typical of the transformation 


of the character? How was this ex- 
plained to Zacchzus, the publican ? 
How are the people of God described? 


. For what purpose did the Saviour enter 


the inner apartment of the heavenly 
temple? To Whom did He come? 
What was given Him? What is this 
event called? What voice at this 
time comes from heaven? To what 
people is this voice addressed? 


. What is recorded in the sixteenth chap- 


ter? What does the eighteenth chap- 
ter describe? After the closing 
scenes of the eighteenth chapter, 
what did John then see? What did 
he hear? 


. What is the one theme throughout crea- 


tion? What had Satan repeatedly 
attempted to do? What followed 
these attempts? After the sinless 
beings had seen all this, what did 
they say? Who bowed before the 
throne, and what did they say ? 


. What does one glimpse of heaven show? 


Whose intense sympathy for man is 
beyond description? When the con- 
flict is over, what shout resounds 
throughout creation? Who come 
to witness the gathering of the mar- 


During what time are the 
guests chosen? Who will be gathered 












‘. 
‘ 
{ 
q 


i0. 


11. 


12. 


13. 


QUESTIONS FOR STUDY. 


riage supper of the Lamb? 
scribe the table. 

Upon what site does the city rest? 
What is the effect of Christ’s feet 
standing upon the Mount of Olives? 
What will never more be said? 
Where, and how will be seen the 
character of Christ? 


. What does Gabriel say of those invited 


to the marriage supper? What did 
he say to John? How does he feel 
toward those through whom he has 
communicated? With whom does 
the angel Gabriel class himself ? 


. How is this view again presented before 


How does he speak of 
What endeared 


the prophet ? 
Christ’s vesture? 
Him to His own troops? What do 
they become to Him? Describe 
Christ’s coming. What was written 
on His vesture and on His thigh? 
What name did He have? 

How is the experience of the redeemed 
described? What is Christ to the 
Father? Of what is the Word of 
God an eternal reminder? What was 
the Word of God made? Where 
did He dwell? What isthe Word of 
God to those who obey it? What 
does it become when disregarded? 

In what way does Christ come for the 
first time? What has He been for 
six thousand years? Describe His 
eyes. How do they affect the souls 
of men? Howis His word described, 
and what is its effect on the nation? 
How are men condemned? 

How does He come to the righteous 

What does He bring 
to His people? What does He be- 
come to the wicked? How is the 
earth affected by His coming? 

What is here first revealed? What does 
Christ tread? How will His coming 
affect the remnant of the wicked? 
What are they prepared todo? How 


waiting ones? 


De-. 


14. 


16. 


16. 


3. 


405 


are Europe and the United States 
represented? How are the armies 
in heaven clothed? How is this 
scene described ? 

What takes place at the end of the 
thousand years? Quote Psa. 50 : 3-6. 
What prophecies have come to us 

With what 

Of 


from time immemorial ? 
words does Jeremiah prophesy ? 
what is this a culmination ? 

What does the angel standing in the 
sun cry? Where are those now who 
sought to slay the truth? 

Who accompanies Christ to heaven? 
What is in contrast with the marriage 
supper of the Lamb? What does 
this typify? What will become of 
the heavens? How many are called 
to the marriage supper of the Lamb? 


CHAPTER |X XI. 

THE JUDGMENT OF THE WICKED. 

What does the history of our little 
planet reveal? What are these two 
opposing characters? How many 
will be enlisted on one side or the 
other? Under whose generalship 
have God’s people fought? Who 
has commanded the other army, and 
what has been his plan? 

How many minds have controlled men? 
What is the character of the life and 
history of Satan? Of what is it a 
record? Of what has the whole 
course been a succession? How 
great has been the wisdom of the 
arch-enemy? What was his position 
in heaven? How does the prophet 
describe him? What was the cause 
of his fall? Of whom was he jeal- 
ous? Of what was that a beginning? 
Who fought with him, and what was 
the result ? 

What did this defeat point forward to? 
From what place was he cast out? 
Where was Satan permitted to make 


406 


. the seat of his power? Why did 
God permit this? What did Satan 
therefore become? Where, and for 
what purpose did he meet the repre- 
sentatives of other worlds? How 
did he stand in that assembly? 
Upon whom did he lay the blame of 
the rebellion? What was he seeking 
to establish upon the earth? 


4. What did Satan try to show was the 


cause of his lack of success? What 


’ happened in fulness of time? 


5. How did Christ live in the heart of the 


government of the enemy? What 
was done by Him on earth? What 
was done to Him? Who watched 
and wondered at the controversy? 
What were the Saviour’s last words? 
What did He say concerning Satan? 
What did He exclaim at the triumph 
of the cross? 


6. What did John hearat this time? From 


what place was Satan then shut out? 
How does Christ describe Satan’s 
fall? What has been Satan’s condi- 
tion since the resurrection of Christ? 
What is becoming more and more 
under his power? What was once 
under the control of the Spirit of God 
that now renders allegiance to Satan? 


7. What working power is abroad in the 


earth, and what is being accomplished 
by it?) What does the little company 
of commandment keepers do? How 
are they treated? Where will the 
Saviour finally take them? What 
_becomes of the wicked ? 


8. How will the earth be affected by the 


seventh plague? How does Rother- 
ham render the translation of Rev. 
20:1-3? What cannot Satan do, and 
where is he now confined? How 
does his countenance now appear? 


9. What will take place at the end of the 


thousand years? What will be the 


QUESTIONS FOR STUDY. 


10. 


11. 


12. 


13. 


14. 


16. 


16. 


last act in the drama? 
tion is here answered ? 
What did John say he saw? We 


called? Who are here blessed? 

Who will be priests of God and Christ 
for a thousand years? What did 
John see? Where are the saints 
during this time? What does Paul 
say the saints will do? 

How does Peter describe the fallen 
angels at the present time? While 
the world is making history, what is 
heaven doing? What will God 
finally do? What does Christ say 
about the words men speak ? 

What are angels doing during the life of 
each individual? Where are these 
records placed? What is this book 
called ? What is placed i in this book ? 
In view of this, what does David 


pray? What is written in the Book © 


of Remembrance? What teaches the 
same lesson ? 

What is the influence of each day upon 
the individual? What shows that 
character is being formed by the daily 
life? What two records will corre- 
spond in the judgment? When is 
every page unwritten? 

What shows that our deeds live when 
we die? What is the difference be- 
tween God’s judgment and man’s 
judgment? Who keeps this record? 

What other book is mentioned besides 
the Book of Remembrance? What 
appears upon its pages? How did 
the Saviour rebuke His disciples 
when they gloried over their success? 
What will be the reward of those 
who remain truetoGod? What will 
be the reward of those who grow 


weary and turn away from the Lord? - 


17. When the name of Christ is taken, what 


Christ appears on the white cloud, a 
what does he do? How does Paul 


describe this scene? What is this 


P 






QUESTIONS FOR STUDY 407 


is imputed to the believer? Why is 
it that when a man forsakes Christ 
there is no record of his good deeds ? 
With what are the pages then filled? 


18. How is it whenasoul repents? What 


is the third book called? What is 
over against each name? How does 
Hosea refer to this book? Howdoes 
Job speak of it? What three books 
are often referred to by the sacred 
writers ? 


19. When was the Book of Life opened? 


When the sins are blotted out of the 
Book of Remembrance, where are 
they transferred? Where is this 
work carried on? How and when 
was it typified on earth? 


20. What did the priest do with the scape- 


goat onthe day of atonement? What 
did this represent? When Christ 
finishes His work in the temple, what 
will become of the sins? Whose 
name heads the list in the Book of 
Death? In what are the saints en- 
gaged during the thousand years? 
When this period expires, what takes 
place? What occurs at the voice of 
God? 


21. When the wicked rise from the dead, 


what do they see? What happens to 
the Mount of Olives and the dead 
who are buried in that country? 
What does Satan then do with his 
host? How great is his army, and 
of whom is it composed? How great 
is the number, and how are they or- 
ganized ? 


22. As they approach the holy city, what do 


they see? Where are those who are 
in harmony with the truth? Where 
are those who have chosen Satan? 
What flashes vividly before every 
mind? Who will the wicked who 
have died in Jerusalem then see? 


23. How many bow before Christ at this 


time? What possesses the hearts of 


those who march in the battle of 
Satan? What will they acknowledge? 
What then comes from God as He 
sits upon His throne? Who is then 
cast into the lake of fire and brim- 
stone? What is this final end called? 


24, What are the words of the Psalmist in 


describing this scene? How will the 
city of God be preserved? What 
will become of the earth? What will 
become of the wicked? 


25. What was the last act in the shadowy 


service of the tabernacle? What has 
become of the defiled earth? Who 
are blotted out of existence? What 
will then take place? What has 
been the nature of the struggle? 
When it is all complete, what does 
Christ see? 


CICAP PER ; XiT. 


THE GLORIES OF THE NEW JERUSALEM. 
1. What seven questions did the Lord ask 


Job? When did all things in the 
universe obey divinelaw? What did 
God do at that time? How did it 
affect other worlds? 


2. In what condition was man when God 


first created him? What did God 
say? What one thing was to be ac- 
complished by man himself? What 
was the effect of man’s fall? What 
took place at the time of the flood? 
How was the earth watered until the 
time of the flood? How has it been 
since? 


8. What did God do when sin filled the 


earth? Of what was the destruction 
of Sodom and Gomorrah an object 
lesson? What has there been in the 
earth since then P 


4. What will take place at the end of the 


one thousand years? What will the 
righteous then see? With what peo- 
ple has the name “ Jerusalem” been 
interwoven? What does the name 


408 


10. 


11. 


12. 


mean? What promise was given? 
When was the city raised to its high- 
est pinnacle of fame? How has it 
been degraded? 


. In whose hands is the city, and what 


happened there? What will the 
Lord finally do? What was God’s 
original plan with the garden of Eden? 


. What was the privilege of the Jews? 


What was one reason for Christ as- 
cending to heaven? Where will the 
New Jerusalem be located? What 
was Christ’s mission on earth? 


. What robbed man of the beauties of 


Eden, and defeated the plan for the 
Jews? In spite of the delay caused 
by sin, how will be the final triumph ? 
What does this show? 


. What, and for how long will be the 


lesson of the story of Jerusalem? 
To whom will it be proclaimed? 
When Jerusalem descends from 
heaven, how will it be received ? 


. What is proclaimed by Jehovah from 


heaven? How did God tabernacle 
with man? How was divinity veiled? 
How will it bein the New Jerusalem? 

How was the story of sin written? 
What will those who have passed 
through these experiences sing? 
Why will there be no more sorrow 
nor weeping? What can words not 
express? By whom, and when will 
this be partially understood ? 

Who sits as King of kings, and what has 
been accomplished by Him? Who 
can better appreciate the kingdom be- 
cause of sin? In this howis the love 
and the character of God shown? 
Who will inherit all these things ? 

In what way is the earth given to man? 
Who opened the springs of heaven? 
What has been a token of this prom- 
ise, and when will it be fulfilled? 
What kind of life will the fountains 
in the new earth give? Who has a 





kingdom of God? How was | 
typified? 


13. What was the Saviour’s promise to ha 


disciples? Whenwas John prepared — 
to appreciate this city? Describe the 
city. Where were these precious — 
stones at the creation? How did men 
use them, and what was the result? 
What story will they tell in their ar- 
rangement in the New Jerusalem? 


14. Relate the description of the stones as 


imagined by some. Of what is the 
foundation composed, and how is it 
ornamented? What story will these 
stones tell? When the glory of 
Christ and the Father shines upon 
them, how will they meet the eye of 
the saints ? 


15. What with man partook of the nature of 


the curse of sin? How will the foun- 
dation of the city of God shin 
What is written on the twelve foun- 
dations? How is the difference be- 
tween human and divine judgment 
shown? How does the light of 
Christ’s countenance affect the streets 
of the city? 


16. How does the city compare with earthly 


edifices? How many gates to the 
city? Whose names are written on 
the gates? Compare the earthly and 
heavenly pearl. In what order are 
the vedeemed arranged as they enter 
the city? 


17. What is revealed in the blessings pro- 


nounced upon Jacob? When will 
the undimmed glory of the Father 
break forth? In what two ways was 
this typified in the earthly sanctuary? 
Why? What will be the light of the 
New Jerusalem? 


18. How is the veiling of God’s glory typi- 


fied by the sun and moon? What 
will hide their light in the new earth? 
What will be caused by the celestial 


QUESTIONS FOR STUDY. 


light? Will the light be confined to 
the city? Whynot? Describe the 
new earth. Who will bring the glory 
and honor into the city? Why was 
Christ manifested ? 

19. What was the original plan of God, and 
what has sin done? What is the 
best the human mind can do? What 
can the ear of man catch and his eye 
see? How has God described the 
other world? What can be said of 
the glories beyond? 

20. What will those whose names are in the 
Lamb’s Book of Life receive in the 
kingdom? When will it be fully 
known that Christ is the way, the 
truth, and the life? 


CHAPTER XXIII. 
THE NEW EARTH. 

1. Of what is the book of Revelationa 
great signal? What hastens one 
along that road? 
history like? 

2. What did David have a good opportu- 
nity to watch? What did his stum- 
blings lead him to do? What did 
they lead him to pray? 

3. What does the book of Revelation show 
and portray? Where in history did 
the seven churches begin, and where 
will they end? 

4. What do the seven seals portray, and 
where does the seventh end? Where 
are the seven trumpets blown? 
What takes place under the seventh? 

To what do the birth and crucifixion of 
Christ point? What is recorded by 
the beast and his image? 

6. What will be found by studying care- 

fully the hundred and forty-four thou- 


ox 


sand? Of what are the plagues a 
sign? To what do they pave the 
way? 


7. Where does Christ prepare the city? 
At the same time what does He do 


What is human _ 


409 


upon the earth? Where do the city 
and the people meet ? 

8. To what do the different lines of 
prophecy in Revelation lead? What 
does the last chapter of this book 
give? 

9. How long did the first Eden remain on 
the earth? What was a wonderful 
lesson to the antediluvians? When 
was the garden transported to 
heaven ? 

10. What promise is made to the overcomer? 
Where does the tree of life grow? 
What was the nature of the tree of 
life? What was the nature of the 
waters of the river of life? Why was 
man excluded from the benefits of 
the literal tree of life and the water 
of life ? 

11. Of what is every flowing river a re- 
minder to man? Who is the foun- 
tain-head of all truth, and what does 
it signify? What did the Edenic 
waters typify? What has always 
watered the earth? When will that 
river of life be fully restored? 

12. Where will Christ lead His people? 
What will He make them drink? 
Who invites all to come? If we 
knew the gift of God, what would we 
ask of Him? What would naturally 
lead John to use figures concerning 
this gift of God ? 

13. Of what is every river and tree a type? 
How is the real tree in Eden repre- 
sented? When will it blossom in 
reality? How many manner of fruit 
will it bear? What is said of the 
leaves of the tree? 

14. What is the cause of the war and strife 
among the nations? When did this 
controversy originate? Why willnot 
that tree of knowledge be found in 
the new earth? 

15. What will all nature in the new earth 
symbolize? What will come to the 


410 


16. 


17. 


18. 


19. 


20. 


21. 


22. 


redeemed when they partake of the 
tree of life in the new earth? What 
has God sought to demonstrate in 
this earth? Who will gather about 
the real tree in the new earth? 

What did God seek to illustrate in Is- 
rael? Had they faithfully followed 
Him, what would He have shown to 
other nations? What was the result 
of Israel refusing to eat only of the 
food of God? 

When, for the first time, do the leaves 
of the tree of life bring all together? 
What did the angel say to John? 
What is the testimony of Isaiah? 
What does the presence of joy 
imply? 

Where has sin entered? What has 
been the closest tie between heaven 
and earth? What can be seen in the 
midst of sin and deep degradation? 
Where pure love is seen, of what is 
it the reflection? Where will such 
love meet its reward ? 

What will God do to the lonely ones on 
the new earth? To whom shall all 
flesh come? What makes separa- 
tion in families to-day? What will 
every man reap? 

What reunion takes place in the new 
earth? What is a type of the Fa- 
ther’s love for humanity? To whom 
will little children lost on earth be re- 
stored? What comforting words 
does the prophet speak to weeping 
mothers? 

What was a type of every mother in Is- 
rael? How will the people grow 
physically in the new earth? What 
will there never be in the new earth? 
Why will this be so? To what will 
the inhabitants of the new earth have 
access through all eternity? What 
will be in the place of the curse of 
death? 

What is the nature of God’s throne? 


QUESTIONS 


FOR STUDY. 


23. 


26. 


27. 


29. 


30. 


. What are prophecies? To what proph- 


. When Christ rises from His judgment 


. How much is comprehended in the ex- 











What for the first ti 
How was man created? — 


the Father’s name be placed? 
What is found in the book of Genesis 


the Bible sustain to the book of , 
esis? What is the book of Revela- . 
tion? What do we find in the twen- — 
ty-second chapter? When John 
could not comprehend these sayings, _ , 

' what did Gabriel say? Why was it 
‘necessary for the angel to assure 
John that these things were true? 
How did these words affect John? 
What did Gabriel say to him? 


ecies does the angel Gabriel refer 
John? What does Gabriel distinctly 
tell John? When did prophetic time 
close? What prophetic period ended 
in 1844? What began at that time? 


throne, what does He say? For 
what do the heavens then prepare? 

While mercy lingers, what may be ac- 
complished? Who only, at this time, 
will have the Father’s name in their 
foreheads? What is said of the 
other class ? 

What message is sounding to-day? 
What will be the reward of the two 
classes of sowers? What are the 
threads woven in eternity’s loom? 


pression, “Alpha and Omega’? 
What is now accomplished? What 
has been developed through this long 
journey? 

What was the privilege of man in the 
Garden of Eden? What did Satan 
claim? What did he proclaim to 
man? What has been the false hope 
of man ever since ? ; 

What were placed together in the Gar- 
den of Eden? In Christ’s personal 
teaching and His life, how did He 


QUESTIONS FOR STUDY. 4II 


link together the tree of life and the 
commandments? What does John 
say to those who stand at the gate of 
the New Jerusalem? 

31. What is God’s law, and who are sealed ? 

‘Over what question will be the last 
struggle on earth? Who are without 
the city? How does John describe 
the last people on earth? 

32. How does Christ speak as the offspring 
of David? What relation do His 
commandments sustain to His throne ? 
What is Christ called? Why? 
What ushers in that new day? 

33. Who gives the final invitation? What 
kind of an experience will the people 
of God have? 

34. How long were the waves a solid foot- 
ing to Peter? What one word will 
carry the righteous through? What 
is the nature of that word? How is 
this word “ come” illustrated ?. Who 
will repeat this invitation? What 
does the divine voice say? What is 
the nature of God’s Word? Whose 
name will be blotted from the Book 
of Life? 

35. Of what does the whole book of Reve- 
lation tell us? What were Christ’s 
parting words with the disciples? 
What personal message is sent to us? 
With what do our hearts respond ? 


CHAPTER XXIV. 
THE SANCTUARY AND ITS SERVICE. 

1. Of what is the book of Revelation a 
revelation? How was Christ repre- 
sented to John? W-hat do we have 
in the fourth chapter? How does 
the eighth chapter reveal Christ? 
What does the eleventh chapter re- 
veal? With these facts in view, what 
is necessary ? 

2. Of what was the earthly sanctuary a 
type? With what was the sanctuary 
surrounded? What was done in the 


court? Was any blood ever shed in 
the holy or most holy place? Where 
did Christ offer His life? Where did 
He then enter, and for what purpose? 


3. Who aloné entered the holy places on 
earth? Where are the people of God 
to-day? How do they follow their 
High Priest? To whom was there 
virtue in every service? To what 
did those priests serve? 

4, What is our High Priest now doing? 
For what purpose did the high priest 
enter the holy place in the earthly 
sanctuary? How much incense was 
placed on the altar morning and even- 
ing? Who could detect the fragrance 
of this incense? What was ascend- 
ing when he was placing this incense 
on the fire? What did this incense 
fitly represent ? 


5. What does Christ add to the prayers of 


What may those who 
Upon what will 


His people? 
believe this know? 
the Father look ? 

6. What stood upon the north side of the 
holy place? What was this bread 
called? Who is our living bread? 
Whom does Christ represent in the 
presence of the Father? Whom did 
the twelve loaves represent ? 


7. When were the children of Israel to pre- 


pare their bread for the Sabbath ? 
When was this shewbread prepared ? 
What must it teach us? What les- 
son is to be derived from the priest 
eating of that bread? 


8. What would Christ have every one of 


His followers do? What kind of a 
priesthood are the people of God ? 


9. What did the golden candlestick repre- 


How was it made? What 
lesson is there in this? What did 
this candlestick uphold? What did 
the seven lamps signify? What does 
Christ say of the church? How does 


sent ? 


412 QUESTIONS 


the Spirit of God shine upon the 
- earth ? 

10. When an individual separates from the 
church, what relation does he sustain 
to the candlestick? Who dressed 
and filled the lamps, and what is its 
lesson? What is the privilege of 
every child of God to believe? 

11. For how long a time was the work per- 
formed in the first apartment? For 
how many was this provision made? 
What did this sin offering show? 
What ceremony did the sinner per- 
form when he brought his offering? 
Upon whom does the sinner now lay 
his sins by confession? In what way 
was the sin conveyed to the sanc- 
tuary? When the blood was not 
taken in, in what other way was the 
sin conveyed to the sanctuary? How 
was this fulfilled in Christ ? 

12. In what way did Christ enter the 
heavenly sanctuary? In what two 
ways was it necessary for the sin to 
be conveyed into the typical sanc- 
tuary? How many offerings did it 
take to represent the complete work 
of Christ? Who separated the fat 
from the offering? What did the 
priest do with it, and what did it typ- 
ify? What made this a sweet savor 
to the Lord? 

13. Where was the remainder of the blood 
poured out? How often was this 
ceremony performed? In what way 
did the Lord show He approved of it? 

14. Where did the Lord meet and commune 
with those who brought the offering? 
What was the crowning day in the 
tabernacle service? Was this the 
only day that the service was carried 
within the second veil ? 

15. What must the priest do for himself and 
household ? How many goats were 
chosen, and for what purpose? For 
what purpose was the Lord’s goat 


FOR STUDY; 


offered? What did the prie 
with its blood ? 
16. Describe the cleansing of the eal 
altar. After the high priest ha 


ary, what did he do with the ie 


What became of the goat that bore 
the sins? 

17. When did Christ, our High Priest, enter 
the most holy place? How long did 
Christ officiate in the first apartment? 
What was removed from the earthly 
sanctuary? What was this day 
called? Why? 


18. What is necessary in order for Christ to 
accomplish His work? What did 
Daniel see? What does John say? 
What does the removal of sins neces- 
sitate? What has been going on 
since 1844? Whose names will come 
up before the Father? What words 
come back to earth? What is done 
when every case is decided? What 
does He then do with the sins of 
God’s people? 

19. Where is Satan during the thousand 
years? After the sins were laid upon 
the scapegoat in the type, what did 
the priest then do? Where were the 
bodies of the offerings burned? 
What was there left of that which 
represented sin and defiled the sanc- 
tuary? 

20. In the antitypical day of atonement, 
what will be left of sin, sinners, and 
Satan? What important relation 
will Satan then sustain to the new 
earth ? 

21. Will the earth ever again be marred by 
sin? Will sorrow and pain ever 
again be felt ? 

22. What will come before the Lord 
throughout the ceaseless ages of 
eternity? What will everything that 
hath breath do? 







, 
‘ 
1 
‘ 


C—O 





INDEX OF MARGINAL REFERENCES 





: Ute eres 98 ae 
Genesis Sait peace BEOEED eee 138 Lev aticus 

ie aS Qo eee 13, 24 8 Sy ieee see eee Ae 138 
DoS ede eS ee 181 | RSP pene eoaeae cee roe 138 
TT A SSSee conse seerseie 275 PAINE GION Gs Se ate Sence wecete 
Tig, io Re Saas 73, 123 ERIE Sis to teem, Pai ciavs, on Sieh 216 
Pity 36 “Roe eee 04 BOSE ES wv saves c'cotlsone 137 
nor pS ee eee 29 PRC EE Gon poe she ities Oe aie 138 
77 ae Saree ese 249 TSR ee Ce eee 137 
eae aioe ote 6 == 105, 291, 339 On Re Reo ae a III 
PEERS RM clele Gem ins yp aS 134 MG ed oiaid c cA sine ie, fo Bieiv'o'e IIo 
= + RS eae 126, 339 
oY a asec oa 351 
Ce On ¢ eee 339 
2 Oe Soe I Re Ea 32 
2ST eee 210, 314, 325 Exodus 
Ste Oe er 105 
epee sai eater om mle initio nei 351 TN er Ut eels eee ifn co 6r 
Brligiccaswe oe 4 === 13, 211, 230 eae = senor ota oe Ro 13 
go Lo See Cee eee 203 See echt oe Epa researc 183 
Epeaey ESS oo awe e aim = “iste © 105 Ce a pe OS ee 93 
En sie om hee = oi" 351 Dose! pee Serer nae ee 32 
TT ee i eee at a 128 cy se SERRE aaa ae ere eter 236 
Yee 105 RoE Spotter Coes = ati 32 
BAI ae weiner es a>- <-> 250 116 DoW t cre rece - eek s 372 
et oa elenn = dace sae 7r ESS a ee ee = 250 
eee ee eee 117 AT Re ae ae pny Bang ee 236 
pee rafeiptes cidiv miele = ace = m= It PaLES eee etic eee: 277 
Hee eer ine sea = aaa 279 Re Eee tgs Sone Oe 277 
GS-20 ...- 5 -- eee eee 181 Rens ote ERE eee 165 
7 Fh SOO SNOT Eola NC 300 oe er oe a ce 123 
+e Sede 126, 172, 339, 351 OS Rees ee i ote 120 

172 RNAS ao ace disxe ie oie tmx 3 281 









Ro eer sic Co Re 87, 134 3S Se ee Se ae ae 247 
8 --. 88 





Raa ree tte ota eo em os aia 243, 258 BE 2 a oA Bee ta 366 En a ue ae +. 109 
48222 ce cececcereenere--LIO GO34s ZS occ ccccwewcceven- 207 Aveda eielaeatars aelein 45 





56. A ae 178, 334, on 
ly SP Ss «187 








: 7+ 310, 330 Pes ph ane meee 332 
» - -T47, 310, 330, 333 139:14-1 
BAe dey 2 BS 3 : 





ee eee 








Coch ee eee 92 STATS Ln ee ee . 
a isies see Pick nner 19, 119 WAAR Gi aiste sso x'alu oc clolete a eae 54:9, 10 
SA Seca alerenletpistetes Re teas BET. Soi enicitre 5 Agata eee 54:1I-13 .. 










bt) MAES Src coc. - +357 
Vy Bes 116, 330, 333 
353 





EL a ata alae wield «| sara steed a 232 






nm 
Ee CHE 


52:11, 12 





oe as eee ewes ener see 312 FEC Cock tbe ome See Le WIS) 

134, 179, 233, 248 aro ee Mts tae an ote ee 129 

seteeeee eee 137; 143, 267 Ree Ss shreds <o.acineee SLES 
Cincy Cb Paes eee See Seu eee 


: CURT opmenseage c nee ae ne 287 
[ts oe ene eee Sees 


27 





wo aay 





NEA motels phoieis 177, 178, 181, 2s 
TA en sy 66, 85, 160, 244, 333 
pa Wires yey nt ome eae 252 
6 OEY tar ere sars Pas iba ao 71, 125 





IG me Lo Ro eer eee 275 
SE, Stare eed ieee sala 78, 180 
1) RR Potts RIC LNIe © 281 
ih, aeRO St, Cocoa edt 280 
ASOTT |. 3 csvighane eames 186 
7h CoD @ MRE TERE Cree) 124, 287 
BiI2-TA, ns,5n = ths ew oe 147 
I SEE Phe) Se 120, 122 











BAS o0 2c cee ee eee 272, 274, 279 

6: =. 75 

6% : -107 

36 

161 

83 

58 

18 

354 

228 

162 

147 

40 

79 

3It 

181, 350 

113 

18 

133 

60 

210 

35° 

324 

193, 339, 333 

220 

309 

RAIS AEN Maasai =, cs Simson ain 57 

TLDS IS Te eee ee era 103 

gee. is ia ew et oe ws 

BERGA | vic sont om oe se ees 205 

Tier Sees ce 141 

Taso ae eae eee 261 

DSS OA oe Oe ee eS 254 

DS == eae ae ee eek 254 

Siriea) 2 al ge eae ee 55 

Ceo Cel Se Se eect 75 

TOSS eet i AE Se a ee 133 

TERS ee ee eee 2t 

2 a ee ee ire RS 17 

Eat SR oe Mee Se aeetane 35 

EL ee ee ee 171 

Rees So, fe. ss ae oe 19 

DUET. Se nS Sop aactne Seep ere 36 

TSS eS ae ae 133 

POCO iutirs sree oars niars cs sarees 54 

CORT rae AA Se oes 28 

EMASS Tie nlp ta OER EL See 173 

TP EE LE seein cee en 350 

SIL SUG GaSe S he Saree 21 

PEAR: IS arc ose cisini Se 19 

STL USM eae meres 19 

Tie See ec 185 

FI ee Bee EE Oe 73 

ZL RSA Sree ee ee 320 
Pia) Sor Oe a eran ee eee 

PARE A ase vice ex See. <iime 161 

DES Sete oe ee ae 188 

Cah RR Sy ae Ee EN ers 

ERE Th Re OOS 68, 308 

Da ie, Ot ee inc onsiee eS eh 142 

Re EIS nar pe eee Sie o cee 200 

PAREN hota Sitar IE eee iota Weim 62 

ZI BAT ECON We eee ree 7° 

5 ies UNE Lp ee a 5 EE, ee 312 

DED Re CMT ete Bae 273 

SATA 225.2% . .252, 267. 350 

Zp EES) Olan TOR Ri ayes 135 

POE tikes cle ers atale © ic a ae = 123 

PAAR eet ais wicker ese mo 234, 246 

CA oo, Ee Re ee 90, 242, 161 

AIO NE pact Yd oie oe we folate 323 
EIS ois ate ate <aak! shel =, 

IED Pass GRE a eet oge nies oe 120, 122 

2rirs3) S See Spohn SA see 262 

RD oe ae ore tnt oe 290, 320 

Cte a ee pee, a 123 

Re bot anh state eho heer nln 75 

Tee EE Re ey a SASL 











ier oe ae 





420 


21:20-31 


pn pape ee 
OBB2 ena 











16 
ZO W2O) 5 als wide 50 3 lora etree oe QAO Il Wht Eons in diareieeriel ee arose a eee, “ae 
Fe: eee AR by su | Mee eae Joe piano rs : eo de. 
BAO LAR orale ccacoxe la opurcveiseiches A Uy MNO Beagy Laer cle Sys erate cae eC 7-236 - 
GAG feiss wraps arose foes, cts oe 82 ET Renata em es 216 1:19, 20 .. 4.8.5 <teieeeale ee 
SAC Gynt meee orem. Mette 590 BAAR Ls Fa koiethee ele oe 189 es : OS, 225, + 
Gea, AT jax Salento « kaha 353 BG ins. ue a he cee III 2: : 
Gage sete eee aerate 188 BSN oes cce oie eee 81, 371 ae a 
GREE rel hin tangs Soe 69, 353, 366 BENQSAO!S cisiele ciclo ste ntere tae 25 23 he 
& 2: a 
H 2: t 
: an > 
3: ‘ 
3: 
3:2, ; 
4:3 
4:5 
4:7 g 
AY 
4:1 ps 
4:2 ios> Gy 
535 oss coe «++ 44 
ee 47,93 ’ 
: ; i Sc13-17 2. ..3- eee 
M2 RAD vein (ais io lhiniee Qs -» OF, 224 Ect: ac meee eat Glace 68 en A ee, 61, 141, 147, eee : 
: O85 > oral l ae ee eee 78 80, 22... nas si 
GENS a ws cec'sl oe ten ete 167 FAS ora je wales nse 
OMG =4t ek oi eee eee It 6:16 75, 218, ii 
LORRY o- «hv sje? eater 228 A 135% 
TOA ako vin... dee eee 147 STH.» «cele cae OR a , 
LOT i afc lances ne ee ORS 8 Z. ave, eave c'wis'nregiare tn ae AW 
MORBS Aira sassrctes ote 13, 83, 185 Beye hau vie. gerstyn Gee sc oe 
WOM AW-A BS. . cleat eee ennele 45 Sy ee 3 
CTA, 25 No Ve eea ee Ee 42 ASDA . he wets mas ee 40, 88,345 
SNCS tase she ale! elosbee, ohare, Sota 8222, 23 -sececewececences OF 








B26; 27 os. 
: «++ «143, 200, 2 





5 
8 


figs 
Ts 
Tt 
Tr: 
us 
10H 
ih 
De 
ai 
2: 
2x 
a: 
Ds 
2% 
3 

4 

4 

4 

5 

5: 
6 





INDEX OF MARGINAL REFERENCES 


PAT Mane aie craystetar a! epits) vette. 188 
Gan ehck cutie hennatoes 37 
PE RIEEa crane chess elt eaeuanees oaks 60, 89 
PARAM er tehc eee pays ee: ink: <0 03 
ABA Ol cgi. cucarees & sueqtinomnecs 80 
A10) Bh Rp, Ca ee ea ae 74 
SEIS apa eC eae 80 
aR OM Weenie oterre heres ciate IOL 
EpaT p COMMS No-ts n tetacde tat ren nc 20 
SeeOWe Nei nstran as 37, 250, 367 
PR Tre reat rane te, aed nee hones 80 
Geta doh Seen ee 72 
Gata Stes hey stat-tetecra te aera 60 
UGE setts sabirorats ste eietevese 87 
GRIN cece cote in stcatee stare 45 
OSD SIGH ea wicveuet Pott enemas 313 
MOEA) ke.4 oka Barts Smee ere 34 
ORR: ict cM a riorciam conta 239 
TOG ces alu la sete seen nasal sien teete. a9 41 
1, oe Se! a eee Te 240, 201 
TH CCR oe) senses om chet a 
EES el ON te clades, xara, -eoervias be 1900 
EES P Mish aoe Wakes, Serie 241 
EULA 9 SDS Mew etass) chwi's, 2 heenetols 161, 222 
PASTS) so he cca mn ee eRe AT II 
MOST) feratttitare a)o acs cree ee Santee 18 
ne 0 el cree nee Bae Ee 93 
MAAN Anam gh ahesd We ois 266, 351 
AO the tessa! ans, ce yt 113 
TiGh Oi, eork svar shes ieee ess es 45, 327 
GRA a nek eke cs dawn wa roe 32 
Galatians 
EB ee esha eee ae evokes 32 
Cali Sure ese Vets ie ueletsters tamaear cher ees 63 
DEON ate tars wotstaacerejeteete 22, 44, 86 
BiQ Meer meee Cs 137.8345 
PROUT LD. exe eet ea ae cathe eee 51 
FASE iar et or eae C5 17, 250 
SOG Ma rain dive elon 248 
BiG Os) 2O—2O) swe aero tanitie 48 
AIAN Ae mera Wiarevsyate cuare 08, 107 
Mpa eee ya ss vey hawt a ae Rie 49 
LIPS Hates bo BOOt 86, 315, 341 
ARZO Mite sein aghciaeeote ne ous 49 
ISS; Lie tse ty see aera yes sree 16 
BET Yl -sRke sera aiayetae ste olan 355 
BE DOE arte e ease aitee healers 103 
(oy deena Peco cae Rrucicee etre came 330 
Gch Sir tive at cuotehe, orev ona 332, 355 
Ephesians 
Bie ae ei cisinie we usenet ee 32 
EAN) ah IM onrcea tare 04 
TAT Nas levewatace aeeyaxsieree ce oer eee I8r 
BRDe MeN tees Be disse, 214, 282, 325 
DEBAG ON ciswiens shits eae See 62 
DITO hi Mereieiclen ois Ciao is fee Ra 86 
DACs ayelen terete nies ore 216 
QDS S TLOe aes wiareus tresses ere 20 
PARI Rs N76) acer clode taactaleee craic 38 
DEI cxapnpad ac oa aoCde 345 
BEDI, (OO Seba Meptee arses Peso 213 
SGRON re oarticie aa aon merce 187 
Be ibehs Mire. vacneniite. = ampere 359 
BetOpEL sc ob wie se eee e 20 
R510) to by ES hye cece tone 20 
SoTL Ay rere aye -paveit cre 20, 315 
BETO race ase eee 102 
BETOM Ties ces uncg tate ee ese ea 103 
BT DOW arn ciara SIAR «ere 104 
BS 2O Ollerton eerste ie eet 348 
IES}, ee NAN Ss ee cee 96, 200 
ARTIST Sl, 5 poievonomuts Uhs Meat 310 
ATTI— TOMA. eislah asians sie atoaan ts Sa 


WNHNNHHHHHHHHHHH 
















t 
Bem i) Te TTS Pee f  roropa ed ccs eee 
* 
23 . .170, 192, 263 : Sc 
Bi eae de 86, 270, 320 12:6 Bin nee Ors creda ne aanae K 
ee ed a 
F Hebrews ~* Soh CCR ay ae 
STs Ae Reon eee See eS 224 B12... +--+ ++ +++ +379 103,220 | S14 we eee eee eee eee ee 
Ded iicc s cret Se on eee 06 14-20 --- 2. eee ees 49, 64 
ek Tene anne Pernt eee 07, 103 : 56, 62, 292 
ON ds 10 esi. «ee » 209 
Re ae aR ee 216 
hs eeeepe Ae 9. 
OA Gn av ST 88, 93, 128, 290 
CPs a RRS. Pes a4 17, 254 
FIG =': . nists clint eee 320 
ts Pee A ae Se A 356 
2 Oe eI Sei yee 2 216 . 
ABEONE ox octare oe tote 909 
BSED a asaelay liters cieenk eee 248 
PRN I a ais Sze a ntclalars te 38, 220 
PATER Sahara (ecerarena' ele 28, 53, 328 















2 35), eee 79, 87, 205 


Dt ie Oe Sarl oe age 145 
» BA DLE eR ee eee) 


102, 3 





> 


EEE Pee 8 ow lee x 25 12 
ye hed eee 128, 178, 246 
Fee ae ee 88, 233 
Piel is MeN. hs ug See Oe ee 267 
fe I ne ee 208 
7 coe Yat Beg SRS ee 132 
Pee a> tastier ince a 6 ororke Se! ----142 
te ee cee ee 136, 208 
ee eee 246, 276, 346 
ETT te A= ee 9 ee Se 
eee epee 137, 738 
PR Be Ste oes Sea eos Oe I 
7 EAR AE ae eae aaa 145 
eae iter Se oe ee 139 
fie ices ee el epee 139 
PONG Soin minieicieee ote pen 114, 269 
BRON Sts ec ok EPS oar 140 
SE Vat aniie ale Ac eaten 143, 144 
ERE orp he eyere 14 
[ne nee, Se) ee eee 145, 191 
Ee he ees ee 161, 174 


Seo ons 106, 146, 310, ~ 


TOD ..------- 22 - ee eee 








204 
145 

205 

213 

SS ee te 215 

See eIES. SOS 216 
1 Cee eee eae 217 
Ae os En ee ~ sve 325 
IZ ESS eee a 140, 218, 325 
fs 2 ea 139, 209, 218, 220 
pin) een, ae epee cae 109, 220 
¥2:12 .....----88, 138, 21220 
PARE ie a ae 244 
Te, SOO. EOE Mer Sree 22E 
otal © peels ae ee pee 1905 
RAE wo view aims ana 221 
lay ot ae aes 128 
Las (ee 73, 192, 222, 298 
12:17 ---31, 69, 88, 222 
MG Ea Sore oc aia win 214, 225 
Se a ote 54, 159. 195, 227 
MGS 2 eee Seles a ene cniane 62, 246 





et ee eee epee 204 
fe 7 ee bog EE > 52, 64, sl 
ROR ono o's won Eee 

EFM oe rai choirs eas 62, 128, rar 
ice, ee SEU Re 210, 204, 333 
A 0 | ee ne ». .66, 73, 307 
Wee nn tcc Seas ae 73, 225 
bp Se ey 177. 240, 243 
Teter A. Besat | peepee ae 240, 242 
co eee. So 69, 242, 246 
eine Be = Sa Re eae 283 
I Git TSA ty eens geen: Senin t= 243 
Le 7 ee 

oe, ht 1] Penn ete 

EAE 2 =. betee 142, 144, 246, 269 
7 be Ber aS! - RRS 3 

Rg Ss Ee n= oer 
"Se RAR ae ie 7 eee oe. 249 
FADD oo oe 2 OSE Aaeacnsees 79, 81 
TAG, F< seS-5)= 83, 180, 184, 185 
Be Fes ee 186, 252, 3590 
Rote Bethe ee as ei oe 290 
1. Se eS IQl, 267 
SA eat ool 190, 256, 258. 301 
EA Ae ei ee 242, 310 
Rh. Se Sea 276, 350 
34-32. 223.8 132, 136, 233, 2590 
ST ETE ae aE yee ee 191 
PEE eicinie in ale a > sai 268 
EACED Vo o's: 2 oc. ne 86. 100, 222 
oP Cae ee eee 261, 262, 360 
Ue EE Eee Bea OS Oe 252 
ARSE cpt startet a nein 263 
Sing Gen A Te ero 320 
BAIESNE nn ean oi noite ae = 9 2s 


oF 


~s 


— 





-_ 424 : 








JULQE& 







Date Due 





APR & 


APR 15 


4 a va 4) 
eS ih _ ? 
? + |, aes 


Nov 3* 


DEC 27 
NOV 9 


juL1 § 
MAY 9 


Demco 38-297 


e TUT 








